Controversy is raging over the development of the historic government old high school premises into a heritage structure with recreational park facilities in Karimnagar town under the Smart city project.
The Municipal authorities have decided to develop the government old high school, the first school set up by the Nizam rulers in the erstwhile Karimnagar district in 1934, into a recreational park to provide ‘lung space’ for the people of the town along the lines of Lumbini park in Hyderabad. Lawns, parks would be developed, apart from installing musical water fountains and the construction of an open air theatre to screen films on weekends, Children’s playing items, cafeteria and parking lots are also expected to be developed.
However, the opposition parties were up in arms against the move. Congress, TDP, YSRCP, CPI, CPM, TJS and Dalit-Muslim United Front have called for a bandh of educational institutions on June 18 protesting against the demolition of structures in the old high school premises.
Allegation
The parties alleged the government was dismantling existing educational institutions such as government junior college for arts, Urdu medium school, district common examination board, denying education to the poorer sections. They said the government old school had produced several eminent personalities such as former Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, Gnanpith awardee C. Narayan Reddy, senior Congress leader M. Satyanarayana and others.
On the other hand, Mayor S. Ravinder Singh flayed the opposition parties for politicising the beautification of the heritage structure, which was being undertaken at a cost of ₹5 crore sprawling over 7.5 acres of land. He said a flag post measuring 155 feet would be erected at the site to hoist the national flag.
The State government is taking measures for the beautification of government old high school, Tower circle, Kaman and Old bridge in Karimnagar town. He also said the existing educational institutions would be relocated to the adjoining institutions, denying that they would be closed.
