A municipal school in Bhandup continues to remain unreconstructed nearly seven years after it was demolished, forcing students to study in overcrowded conditions. The issue was raised during a recent meeting of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation education committee, where concerns were flagged over delays and lack of coordination between agencies.
The school on Tank Road was pulled down in 2019 after being declared unsafe. However, reconstruction has yet to begin, leaving the site vacant. Around 199 students from the school have since been shifted to the Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde School near Bhandup railway station, which already accommodates more than 1,700 students, resulting in severe overcrowding.
The matter was brought up by committee member Priyank Rathod, who alleged inaction on the part of both the civic body and the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA). Education Committee Chairperson Rajeshree Shirwadkar has sought a detailed explanation from officials in the next meeting.
Rathod pointed out that despite the delay, a school building constructed by the SRA in the vicinity remains unused. “Just a five-minute walk from this site, the SRA has constructed a residential building for local residents. Adjacent to this residential complex, the SRA has also completed the construction of a school building.”
However, the facility is yet to be operational, reportedly due to the absence of a fire NOC and pending handover to the BMC’s education department. Rathod also raised concerns about student safety, noting that children from the SRA complex must cross busy roads to attend school, while the new building itself allegedly lacks adequate ventilation.
Highlighting administrative lapses, he said there appears to be little clarity between departments regarding the project’s status. “Consequently, a major question arose: Where can ordinary citizens obtain justice?”
In response, the committee has directed Education Deputy Commissioner Prachi Jambhekar to submit a comprehensive report, as calls grow for accountability and swift action.
Source: Hindustan Times
