District disaster management authority orders old Kendriya Vidyalaya building demolition
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The directive, issued by the district collector as DDMA chairperson, follows warnings from the fire force and city police advising the school against using the structure as a pick-up and drop-off point for school buses.
Built in 1970, five years after the school was established, the tiled structure has fallen into severe disrepair due to age. According to a report from the Elamkulam village officer, parts of the building have collapsed during heavy rain and strong winds.
Its location—next to the school, auditorium, playground and the main boarding area for school vehicles—makes it a significant hazard to students.
Invoking Section 30(2)(V) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the district collector ordered immediate demolition. The school principal has been directed to complete the demolition within 15 days and report compliance.
As a temporary safety measure, the school shifted the entry and exit for students using school buses and other vehicles to the rear gate near the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) office.
However, this move has been strongly opposed by the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and motorists, who argue that relocating the bus bay to the roadside outside the school compound increases safety risks for students and creates traffic chaos for passing vehicles.
School sources told TOI that they had written to the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) headquarters in Delhi in January, seeking approval to demolish the structure, but no action followed. Officials now hope that the DDMA order will expedite clearance from Delhi.
"The safety of students is a major concern for the school. The district collector's directive should prompt faster action from the headquarters," a source said.
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4 days ago
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