GPT Alumni Oppose Private Project on College Land

Kakinada: Alumni of the Government Girls Polytechnic (GPT) in Kakinada have opposed the government's reported move to hand over 3.64 acres of the college land to a private firm for the construction of a hotel, convention centre and other tourism-related facilities.

The land was earlier acquired by the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC). The alumni, along with CPI, CPM and other organisations, have urged the government to withdraw the proposal and return the land to the college.

They demanded that the land be used for public purposes, including the proposed Ayush Medical College, adjoining the Ayush Medical Hospital, which is expected to be inaugurated soon.

The alumni said the Government Girls Polytechnic is an exclusive institution for women and has a girls' hostel on the campus. They argued that handing over part of the land to a private firm could affect the safety and academic environment of students.

They also pointed out that the campus has a 400-metre athletics track that has hosted state-level sports events. The college had earlier submitted proposals seeking infrastructure development, including additional buildings, sports facilities and skill development centres, but these had not been acted upon, they said.

Alumni member P. Padmaja said former students were not willing to accept the proposal and were preparing to launch an agitation if the government proceeded with the land transfer.

Another alumnus appealed to Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan to intervene and ensure that the land remained with the institution. The alumnus also called upon former students to unite and oppose the proposal.