Udupi: Government Polytechnic yet to get its own building

Pics by Snehalatha, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network

• Hostel building has not been handed over because of dues

 

Udupi, 08 Aug 2012: Lack of basic facilities and inadequate infrastructure have affected the functioning of the Government Polytechnic here.

 

The Government Polytechnic functions at the building of the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) in Udupi.

 

The polytechnic began functioning in 2008 from the three rooms of the Veterinary Department at Bailoor before being shifted to the Kemthur School next year. It was subsequently shifted to the new building of the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) at Yemabathu Badagabettu.

 

The polytechnic, which offers diploma in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics and Communications (E&C), and Computer Science, had a strength of 413 students last year. The intake this year is still not clear as the process of admission is under way.

 

Out of 86 sanctioned teaching and non-teaching posts, only 12 had been filled at the polytechnic. Out of 31 sanctioned lecturer posts only six had been filled. The polytechnic is now functioning with the help of 20 part-time lecturers much to the discomfiture of the students.

 

 

According to Srinivas Bhat, a final year student pursuing E&C course, lack of classrooms is a big worry. “Many a times, combined classes are held for first year for English and Mathematics. The hydraulics lab has been hardly used,” he said.

 

Mohammed Saddam, a final year civil engineering student, said there was no hostel facility for the students coming from other districts. Many students were staying as paying guests and in rented rooms, which were in distant places such as Udyavar and Hiriyadka. There was no women’s hostel for the polytechnic.

 

“Some students have to change three buses from Udupi to reach the polytechnic. To board a direct bus to Udupi from the polytechnic, students have to walk 1.5 km to Manchi,” he said. Registrar of the Polytechnic Lakshmeesha Bhat said that though the women’s hostel had been built at a cost of Rs. 1 crore, it had not been handed over to the polytechnic yet.

 

 

The inaugural function was held in February and ever since the facility remained unutilised as the polytechnic owed Rs. 10 lakh to the contractor. Mr. Bhat agreed that there was shortage of classrooms. The foundation stone for the construction of a new building for the polytechnic was laid at Shivally in February. The building was expected to come up in two years at a cost of Rs. 8 crore, he said.