Central library building demolition evokes furore

Chittoor: Demolition of the district central library building by the officials of the Road and Building (R&B) department anticipating it would become a hindrance for road expansion has attracted widespread resentment from all political parties except the ruling party. Former Chief Minister N T Rama Rao had laid foundation stone for the library building in the heart of the city on September 15, 1988.

Former Minister Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu also participated in the stone laying ceremony. The building for the district library was constructed at a cost of Rs 50 lakh. Since then, the library became a source of knowledge for many. Existing library was shifted to a private building on the outskirts of the city with the demolition of 30-year-old structure.  

Speaking to The Hans India, Zilla Grandhalaya Samstha Secretary P Rama has criticised the R&B officials for taking up demolition of library building without prior intimation. She said library with all the facilities was convenient to city residents. More than 1,000 readers every day used to avail services of library, she stated. Rama has expressed anguish over demolition of a costly building.

She recalled the efforts of former Zilla Grandhalaya Samstha President Ch Sesha Reddy for getting funds from the government and donations for the construction of library building. “We are forced to shift library to a private building which is inconvenient for the readers,” she said. Rama made an appeal to the elected representatives of the district to donate funds for the construction of a new library building in Chittoor.

It may be stated here that the road expansion drive in Chittoor was postponed due to court directions. It is also learnt that present Zilla Grandhalaya Samstha Chairman Kannaiah Naidu has met Minister N Amaranatha Reddy recently and sought the funds to construct the proposed new building for library.