Intach to renovate SSU building

VARANASI: After remaining neglected for years despite approval of funds, the Gothic-style main academic building of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University (SSU) would now be renovated.
In a meeting held on Tuesday (June 23), the state cabinet decided to entrust Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) the task of restoration and renovation of the heritage building of SSU.This decision comes in the wake of earlier announcement made by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on February 24. A fund of Rs 5 crore was allocated in the state annual budget.
“The main building had been lying in dilapidated condition for quite long and the decision of state government to get it restored and renovated has come like a breath of fresh air for everyone in the university,” SSU vice-chancellor Yadunath Prasad Dubey said on Thursday. “The building is in the heart of university and its restoration and renovation was the need of the hour,” he added.
It may be recalled that after assuming charge as vice-chancellor, Dubey had said that his priority is to urge the government to grant Central University status to SSU and to get the main building renovated.
“Now our focus would be to get Central unversity status to SSU,” said Dubey.
The building of SSU attracts tourists, scholars and passersby. It is lying neglected for years. The walls of the main hall are in bad shape with almost indecipherable symbols and inscriptions. The old lecture halls, built in European style architecture, have collapsed and the ceiling stands with the support of bamboos. Many efforts for the renovation of the building were made in the past but without success.
Earlier, in 2011, Rs 755.79 lakhs were sanctioned for the renovation but lapsed due to non-utilisation of funds. Earlier, the state government had released Rs 66 lakhs as token money for renovation work. The School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi was to help in the renovation work but the government did not approve it, saying that SPA was not a working agency but an educational institution.
Later, the government decided that Construction and Design Services (C&DS) of Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam should complete the work under the supervision of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in two years. However, the money was not transferred to C&DS in 2011-2012 and the funds lapsed.
Dubey said that he would request the chief minister to get new teachers and professors appointed. “The present grant of Rs 10.5 crores is insufficient so will request to increase it to Rs 20 crore. More than 60 posts of professors are lying vacant at present and there is staff crunch as well,” he said