Varsity’s management council members feel that the venture is not feasible as they are facing a land crunch for their own projects
Mayor Chanchala Kodre and Commissioner Vikas Deshmukh are planning to visit the University of Pune (UoP) campus today to identify two acres of land to start a new library for the city, as announced in its recently passed annual budget.
UoP, however, is in no mood to hand over its land to the corporation, as it’s facing a land crunch owing to the several infrastructural projects in the pipeline.
Speaking to mid-day Mayor Kodre said, “I had an interaction with the vice chancellor in the past and he is positive about the project. Hence, we are paying visit to the varsity to have a detailed meeting and also to undertake a land survey for the library.”
When she was informed that the varsity administration has shown reluctance in allotting land to the PMC, she said, “Considering the huge campus, I don’t think there should be the UoP should face any problems in giving us land.”
Since the PMC announced its intention to go ahead with the project by allotting funds for it, UoP Vice-Chancellor Dr W N Gade has taken a cautious approach to the project.
“The management council of the varsity had set a committee on the PMC’s proposed project. This committee will take the final call on its feasibility of the project,” Gade said.
A senior UoP official, on condition of anonymity, said, “Parting with two acres of land is very difficult. Various rese-arch institutes already occupy most of our land. Besides, a major part of our land comes under the green belt, which is under the jurisdiction of the forest department.”
“All management council members have already conveyed to the vice-chancellor that he should take a strong stand on allotting varsity’s land to outside parties.
When the university itself is struggling to realise its long pending projects, how it can give land to the PMC?” said a senior management council member, who will be attending the meeting today.
The vice-chancellor appointed the committee, which is under the chairmanship of senior management council member Dr Arun Adsul. When contacted, Adsul confirmed that the meeting will be held today for primary discussions on the PMC project.
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