Constructed in 2018, School Admin refuses to take possession of auditorium in Bijbehara

Building turns haven for drug addicts, drunkards, say Teachers, locals

By: Ahmed Shabir

Bijbehara: Nearly three years after the project was completed, the authorities at Higher Secondary School (Boys) Bijbehara have refused to take the possession of auditorium after they found major leakage in the roof of the building.

Notably, in 2005, the government sanctioned the auditorium for Higher Secondary School (Boys) Bijbehara. The educational institution listed as model school.

The construction for the project was allotted to Roads and buildings department. Though the deadline for the completion of project was three years, however the same dragged on for 13 years. After missing many deadlines the executing agency finally completed the project in 2018 and asked the school authorities to take over the auditorium.

On inspection, the HSS authorities found major leakage in the roof of the building and faults in the electric fitting and refused to take its possession.

Principal of the institution asked R&B authorities to complete the building in all respects after only after which they will take over the building. However three years later, the auditorium awaits the minor repairs.

Locals and Staffers of Higher Secondary School told Precious Kashmir that the department after the Principal refused to take over the incomplete building, abandoned the same.

Constructed at the cost of Rs five crore, locals said, the auditorium has become a haven for drug addicts and drunkards, who stay in the building till late nights.

“Due to the failure of R and B authorities to keep watch and ward of the building, the drug addicts have broken and stolen many sanitary items of the building besides damaging its window glasses,” said a Staffer of the school.

A local questioned the wisdom of the R&B officials of abandoning the project on which crores of rupees were spent.

Principal of the institution, Nasreena told Precious Kashmir that she many a time reminded the R and B officials through written letters to carry out the remaining works of the auditorium and handover the building but nothing was done.

An official of R and B wishing anonymity said that they had asked the HSS authorities to take over the building three years back but they refused on the grounds that building had some minor works pending.

“Had they taken possession of the building, we would have carried out all those minor repairs even after their possession. Now, we recently floated tenders for the same but there was no response to the tenders. We will now invite fresh tenders for the same. And once we get response to the tenders repair work on the building will be started without any delay,” R and B official said.

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