Bangalore University has junk worth Rs 5 crore

BANGALORE: Officials of Bangalore University (BU) often cite ‘fund crunch’ as a reason for the delay in execution or completion of developmental works. Little do they know that the university has scrap items worth at least Rs 5 crore, mindlessly stashed away in laboratories and unexplored corners of the campus.

This was revealed on Saturday when Registrar (Administration) BC Mylarappa and other officials visited the Central College campus for an inspection, his second one this week following his  scrutiny at Jnana Bharathi campus.

The boys hostel of University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE) and its Mechanical Engineering laboratory are filled with dilapidated furniture, dismantled equipment parts, steel items and cupboards, posing an obvious hindrance to  education. Adding to the problems is the bird droppings and dust that covers the existing engineering machinery, thanks to the wide gaps in the sheets that provide cover.

“If one is to consider the junk in Jnana Bharathi and Central College campuses, the total value will be approximately Rs 5 crore. The amount of junk in the engineering laboratories alone runs into crores,” said University Engineer Putta Swamy N.

When Mylarappa enquired about the junk, officials said they needed written permission to dispose it. “No letter, no permission. Summon lorries and fill them with this junk. I want this cleared as soon as possible,” Mylarappa instructed the officials.