Century-old Government school structures, playgrounds to be safeguarded

Mysuru: In a significant move to protect the century-old Government High School at Vontikoppal (V.V. Mohalla), opposite Sri Lakshmivenkataramanaswamy Temple and Yadavagiri Government Higher Primary School, Mysuru Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy has directed South Western Railway (SWR) officials to earmark nearly two acres of land for the schools, including their playgrounds.

The directive follows a series of reports published in Star of Mysore and its sister publication Mysuru Mithra, which raised concerns that SWR’s proposed construction of a multi-storey residential complex, an indoor stadium and an auditorium could adversely impact the two educational institutions.

The DC chaired a meeting yesterday at ZP Hall with senior officials from the District Administration, the Department of Public Instruction and SWR.

After reviewing the relevant records, he instructed railway authorities to ensure that both schools and their playgrounds remain unaffected by the proposed development.

Railway officials were reminded that, under the Karnataka Government Educational Institutions Land (Protection and Regulation) Act, 2026, the land can be registered in the school’s name through RTC entries.

Since the property belongs to the Government, the DC emphasised that there should be no ambiguity regarding ownership and stressed the need to preserve the historic institution in the interest of students.

Directed to redraw plans

The Vontikoppal school campus presently measures 2 acres and 13 guntas. Instead of constructing residential quarters adjacent to school, DC suggested demolishing the compound wall on the Kalyana Mantapa side and extending the boundary by five to six guntas. This, he said, would ensure that at least two acres remain exclusively for the school and its playground.

He asked SWR officials to prepare a revised layout plan incorporating these changes and present it for further discussion.

Railway authorities assured the meeting that the issue concerning the two schools would be resolved within a week and stated that the proposed railway project would not jeopardise their existence.

ZP CEO S. Ukesh Kumar, DDPI D. Udaykumar, Tahsildar Mahesh, Assistant Director of Land Records (Mysuru City) M.D. Chikkanna, BEO Suresh, Grade-II Tahsildar Vijaykumar, RRT (Review of Records of Tenancy & Crops) Shirasthedar C.L. Prashanth, Shobha and senior officials of the SWR’s Mysuru Division attended the meeting.