Kakinada Alumni Rally Against Commercial Land Transfer at Girls Polytechnic
Former students of Kakinada’s Government Girls Polytechnic are protesting a government plan to hand over 3.64 acres of college land to a private firm for commercial use. They are demanding the site be used for educational expansion, specifically for an Ayush Medical College.
Highlights
- •Alumni of Kakinada's Government Girls Polytechnic are protesting the transfer of 3.64 acres of college land to a private firm.
- •The land was slated for a hotel and convention center, but protesters demand it be used for the nearby Ayush Medical College.
- •Concerns have been raised regarding student safety, the academic environment, and the preservation of the existing athletics track.
- •Former students have called on Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan to intervene and halt the land transfer project.
Alumni of the Government Girls Polytechnic (GPT) in Kakinada have voiced strong opposition to a government proposal concerning campus land. The authorities are reportedly considering transferring approximately 3.64 acres of the institution's premises to a private firm. This land, which was previously acquired by the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), was slated to host a hotel, a convention center, and other tourism-related infrastructure.
The decision has sparked significant concern among former students and various local organizations, including the CPI and CPM. These groups are urging the government to scrap the proposal immediately and return the land to the college. There is a growing demand to utilize this property for public utility projects, specifically suggesting it be integrated into the upcoming Ayush Medical College, which sits adjacent to the Ayush Medical Hospital.
Concerns Over Campus Integrity and Safety
A primary point of contention for the GPT alumni is the potential impact on the educational environment. As an exclusive institution dedicated to women’s education, the campus houses a girls' hostel. Former students and advocates argue that introducing a commercial private firm into the college premises poses risks to student safety and disrupts the academic atmosphere. Maintaining the integrity of the Government Girls Polytechnic is viewed as a non-negotiable priority by the local community.
Furthermore, the GPT campus serves as a vital hub for extracurricular activities. The site includes a 400-meter athletics track that has historically hosted state-level sports competitions. Alumni representatives, including P. Padmaja, have highlighted that the college had previously submitted formal requests for the development of essential infrastructure, such as new buildings, enhanced sports facilities, and advanced skill development centers. However, these academic proposals have remained unaddressed by the authorities.
The opposition movement is gaining momentum, with former students prepared to launch a formal agitation if the land transfer proceeds. There have been direct appeals to the Deputy Chief Minister, Pawan Kalyan, asking him to intervene in the matter and ensure the land remains under the control of the educational institution. The alumni are currently uniting to safeguard the future of the Government Girls Polytechnic and prevent the commercialization of its campus land.
