South Western Railway construction works

Mysuru: Mysuru’s civic activists have raised objections to the ongoing construction by South Western Railway (SWR) on an open space adjoining the century-old Government High School at Vontikoppal (V.V. Mohalla), opposite Sri Lakshmivenkataramanaswamy Temple and near Yadavagiri Government Higher Primary School.

The SWR has resumed construction of a multi-storey building, residential complex, indoor stadium and auditorium adjacent to the two schools.

The Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) has alleged that the construction is being taken up despite official orders to halt the work and has accused the Railways of violating State laws and misusing Section 11 of the Railways Act.

In a letter dated Sept. 22, 2026, addressed to Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, MGP Working President S.K. Dinesh urged immediate action to stop the construction.

Series of violations

MGP said, the overriding powers under Section 11 of the Railways Act apply to essential railway infrastructure such as tracks, bridges, tunnels, stations & yards and not to residential apartments or a Kalyana Mantapa. Such constructions, it said, must comply with the State and Municipal regulations.

It also alleged that the construction violates the Parks and Open Spaces Act, which, it said, applies to all entities, including the Railways, when the construction is not related to essential railway infrastructure.

Retired Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) Town Planning Director A.V. Rangesh has confirmed that the area is designated as open space in the Mysuru Master Plan, MGP said, adding that the Railways would require MUDA permission for construction in such areas.

MGP also pointed out that the Vontikoppal Government High School is more than 100 years old and that its heritage status restricts construction in its immediate surroundings.

Directives ignored

Regional Commissioner Nitish Patil, following a spot inspection, had confirmed that State laws prohibit construction around schools that have existed for more than 12 years. MGP further noted that the DC had already issued orders to halt the construction.

MGP also referred to an assurance given by Union Minister for Railways V. Somanna to the School Head Master on Sept. 20 that the school would be protected.

Urging the Deputy Commissioner to re-issue the order directing Railway officials to immediately halt all construction around the school, MGP said that the structures already built could be liable for demolition if they were constructed without obtaining permission from the State and Municipal authorities.

Copies of the letter have been sent to MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, MLAs K. Harishgowda and T.S. Srivatsa, Regional Commissioner Nitesh Patil and Divisional Railway Manager Mudit Mittal.