Amtes in search of new mgmt to take over Anand Niketan College

Management of Anand Niketan College in Warora, a six-decade-old institution founded by social reformer Baba Amte, has invited proposals from organisations interested in taking over the college to ensure its educational activities continue Chandrapur : More than six decades after Baba Amte founded Anand Niketan College in Warora, the institution's ageing campus has reached a point where rebuilding is estimated to cost Rs111 crore — a financial burden its current management says it cannot meet. The Maharogi Sewa Samiti has decided to seek a new organisation to take over the college and ensure that its academic activities continue. Kaustubh Amte, a member of the Amte family and representative of the Maharogi Sewa Samiti, said proposals have been invited from organisations capable of taking over the institution. The move, he said, is intended to preserve the college rather than disrupt its functioning. Baba Amte established the college on June 20, 1964. The existing building, spread across five acres, was constructed around 1960 with bricks, soil and lime and without reinforced cement concrete. Its tiled roof rests on wooden beams. According to Amte, termites have extensively damaged both the walls and wooden structural components over the years. Concerns over the building's safety date back decades. Its first structural audit was conducted in 1985, when engineers recommended external supports to prevent a possible collapse. A second audit in 2008 found further deterioration and classified the structure as critical, recommending reconstruction instead of repairs. Despite discussions about rebuilding the campus continuing for years, the managing committee was unable to mobilise the required funds. The estimated reconstruction cost has now risen to Rs111 crore. Recent efforts to raise the money indicated that securing such a large amount was not feasible, Amte said. The safety concerns have also been intensified as the structure has aged. Amte said ground vibrations have reportedly been felt in the area over the past few years because of controlled blasting at coal mines located within about 25 km of Anandvan. Anand Niketan College currently has more than 2,500 students and around 80 teachers and employees. 'The future now requires a practical and sustainable approach,' Amte said, adding that the institution's emotional significance to the Amte family could not be separated from the need to secure its long-term viability. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nagpur | Silver Rate in Nagpur | Bank Holidays in Nagpur | Public Holidays in Nagpur | Petrol Price in Nagpur | Diesel Price in Nagpur | CNG Price in Nagpur | LPG Price in Nagpur Stay updated with the latest Nagpur news. Download the TOI App.