Budgam, Jan 08: After five years and seven months of dilly-dallying, the construction work on satellite campus of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) campus has finally started in Budgam.
“We have started work on the boundary wall of the campus and work won’t be stopped as we sorted out the issue with locals. We’ll provide them eight feet wide road outside the boundary wall. Very soon the approval for the construction of buildings will also come,” Regional Director MANNU and In-charge Satellite Campus Kashmir, Dr Mohammad Aijaz Ashraf told Kashmir Images.
Earlier, besides the apathy of district administration, state and central governments, MANUU officials had held few locals responsible for not allowing them to start construction who were demanding road “through the campus”.
In the wake of inordinate delay, this newspaper published a report on December 23 with headline “5 years on, govt fails to start construction of MANUU campus in Budgam” wherein it also carried version of locals saying “We aren’t asking for road through the campus, but we are seeking it outside the boundary wall”.
Also Read: 5 years on, govt fails to start construction of MANUU campus in Budgam
After that MANUU authorities and locals of Patwaw village — where university would be established, reached an understanding and settled the issue. “We’ve resolved the matter and the work on road has started,” said a local.
The residents of Budgam and student community appealed MANUU Vice Chancellor and Regional Director to complete the construction work at the earliest so that varsity would be thrown open.
Meanwhile, university officials said that in order to sped up the construction work; they need vital approach road that would connect the main road to the university site. For the same, Deputy Commissioner Budgam was requested to provide 20-feet wide metalled road via a letter in 2017, however, till date, there has been a cold response from district administration.
The letter, a copy of which lies with ‘Kashmir Images’, states that the campus site lacks proper approach road and it “is very difficult to carry the construction material”.
The administration was also requested to provide electricity and water supply for the smooth functioning of the construction work.
Also Read: MANUU campus victim of BJP’s vindictive politics, PDP acted spectator: Aga Ruhullah
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar said through a text message, “We are on the job. We are trying to facilitate all.” Asked how much time it would take, she did not reply.
Earlier, after calling twice on her number, she did not respond and sent a text message informing that she was in a meeting “please text”.
It is worth mentioning that the foundation of MANUU campus was laid in May 2013. Currently its regional centre is operating from Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar and MANUU Arts and Science College for Women is functioning from Humhama, both in private accommodations.
