Puttur Women's College Still Without Permanent Building After 13 Years
Over thirteen years after its initial sanction, the government Women's First Grade College in Puttur, Karnataka, continues to function without a permanent building. Students and staff have raised serious concerns about prolonged official apathy and repeated delays in completing the new facility at Bolwar, which has severely impacted academic operations.
Inadequate Temporary Facilities
The college, which serves more than 524 students, is currently housed in an old taluk office building that has been used as a temporary facility for nearly a decade. Lecturers and students report that the structure is entirely unsuitable for academic purposes, featuring inadequate ventilation, makeshift washrooms, and poor basic amenities. Classrooms are particularly affected by excessive dust and heat, especially during the summer months, creating an uncomfortable learning environment.
Construction Delays and Missed Deadlines
The institution was allotted 1.53 acres at Bolwar for construction, with the foundation stone laid in March 2023 for a project estimated at Rs 8 crore. The original completion deadline was set for July 2025, but with that date now passed and the building still incomplete, the delay has become a major point of contention. Students emphasize that the lack of a proper campus is directly affecting both learning conditions and safety.
Student and Staff Struggles
A lecturer at the college highlighted that arrangements in the current premises remain temporary across all facilities, including sanitation. The slow pace of construction has left students bearing the consequences, with ongoing work in and around the building disrupting classes due to noise and pollution. Additionally, students note that the existing building is in the process of being handed over to the taluk hospital, adding urgency to the need for relocation.
Protests and Political Response
Recent student protests over these inconveniences led to the suspension of the college principal. Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai attributed the project delays to legal hurdles and political disputes. He has now set a fresh deadline of one month, stating that the Karnataka Housing Board, which is executing the work at Bolwar, is expected to complete it by the end of March, with the building to be inaugurated thereafter. Rai confirmed that Rs 7 crore was earmarked for the project and revealed plans to introduce a BSc course from the next academic year.
