Demand to shift district library to new building

Malkajgiri: Once a popular destination for local book lovers, the Malkajgiri district library now is run in a rental house located in a small lane of PVN Colony. Few care to visit the library today as it is in remote area. Fifteen years ago, the district library was run in the municipal office at Malkajgiri Crossroads but following the demolition of the old municipal office, the library was shifted to a rented building.

A new three-floor building 'Indira Bhavan' was built in the place of municipal office with a provision to run the library. However, officials made no efforts to shift the library to new building. Despite several representations to officials and MLAs, the library was not shifted to Indira Bhavan. Expressing ire over official apathy, some locals have questioned officials on collecting library cess from them as part of property tax. Local book lovers demanded officials to shift the library to Indira Bhavan to restore its former glory.

When contacted on the issue, T Dasharath, the GHMC Deputy Commissioner, said that the issue was discussed with officials and the library department officials even visited a vacant land and building in RK Nagar belonging to GHMC. Construction of new building at the site requires permission from higher officials and attempts are made to get the permission, he said. Referring to Indira Bhavan, he said that the building was being used for conducting GHMC meetings and may not be suitable for library.

JLN Shastri, retired engineer, who lives in Vani Nagar demanded the officials to shift the district library from its current location to Indira Bhavan or a new building. He said that several representations were made to chairman of library department, local MLA and GHMC officials but there was no response from them. He urged GHMC commissioner Lokesh Kumar and zonal commissioner Srinivas Reddy to intervene in the issue and take necessary measures to restore the former glory of the library.