A file photo of the construction of Railway staff quarters and other buildings adjacent to the 118-year-old Government High School at Vontikoppal. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO The Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) has urged the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) to immediately issue a stop-work notice to the Railways over the construction of staff quarters and other buildings adjacent to the 118-year-old Government High School at Vontikoppal, citing the absence of mandatory statutory approvals.In a letter to MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha, MGP president Roy Joseph sought a written direction to the Railways to suspend all construction activities until the required approvals, sanctions and clearances are obtained from the MCC, Mysuru Development Authority (MDA) and other competent authorities.The school, established in 1908, currently has around 120 students, many of whom are from economically weaker families.According to the MGP, the Railways had commenced construction activities near the school earlier this year.
Following complaints from citizens, Regional Commissioner Nitesh Patil visited the site in July 2026 and directed that the work be stopped. He had also pointed out that State laws prohibit construction around schools that are more than 12 years old.
The Railways subsequently halted the work.However, the MGP said the construction resumed last week. When objections were raised by the school authorities, the Railway project team reportedly insisted that written stop-work instructions from the competent authority were necessary.The MGP had earlier, in September, questioned the legality of the construction, arguing that the project required approval from the competent planning and municipal authorities.
The Railways had reportedly invoked Section 11 of the Railways Act to contend that such approval was not necessary.However, the MGP maintained that the exemption under Section 11 applied only to essential railway infrastructure such as railway lines, bridges and stations, and not to staff quarters and community facilities. In the letter dated October 31, the MGP cited court rulings which, it said, had held that the Railways must comply with applicable State planning and municipal laws and obtain all required statutory approvals for such constructions.The MGP has requested the MCC Commissioner to issue a written order to the Railways, with a copy to the school’s headmaster, directing suspension of the work until all necessary clearances are secured.Mr.
Joseph said the intervention was necessary to ensure compliance with planning and municipal regulations and safeguard the interests of the school and its students. Published - November 03, 2026 08:09 pm IST