Mysuru: MLC K. Vivekananda yesterday visited the Government High School and the Government Higher Primary School at Vontikoppal, both of which are facing threats from ongoing railway construction and pledged to safeguard the institutions.

During the visit, he interacted with students and staff and inspected the construction site. Vivekananda said he had already spoken to Union Minister of State for Railways V. Somanna and urged MPs to submit a joint memorandum seeking protection of the school land.

Vivekananda said the school property must remain with the institutions under the Karnataka Government Educational Institutions Land Protection and Regulation Act, 2026. He added that he had held discussions with the Deputy Commissioner, Zilla Panchayat CEO and Tahsildar to ensure legal safeguards.

Expressing concern over health hazards, he said large-scale dumping of soil for the railway project had already affected more than 125 students and 10 teachers. He said railway officials had been asked to halt the work immediately and assured full support to preserve and strengthen the schools.

He also pointed out that more than 1,000 Government Schools in Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan and Chamarajanagar districts were yet to obtain e-khata records. He urged the authorities to expedite the digital registration process. Mysuru North Zone BEO Suresh, along with the teaching and non-teaching staff, was present during the visit.