64-year-old library to bite the dust

Mettuguda: The 64-year-old dilapidated Ashok Library will be demolished by the government officials soon at New Mettuguda. The library having body building equipment which was constructed in the year 1954. Interestingly, it was the school children who came up with the idea to construct Ashok Library and collected funds from the residents in the year 1952. Because of its ill maintenance the government is keen to demolish it and develop any structure for the public use.

The land was given on lease for the welfare of the public in 1950s. It is a private land. “We are against the involvement of the government in the private land and take a decision to demolish it without considering the views of the public here,” said Amar, congress leader. He further said that there is a plan to gather all the Basti residents on August 15 to inform them that collective effort is required for the construction of small gym and function hall on the land and government officials cannot take a charge on the private land.

Krishna Chary, a resident said, “The library was constructed in 1954 but was neglected for the past 16 years. With over grown trees and garbage all over, it has turned into a nest for snakes. There are instances where snakes keep crawling into houses. Especially, children lives are at risk. The area of land needs to be restored with the construction of a small function hall.” Another resident said that, “There are already two rooms constructed with slab work pending. It was done with our expenses and we need to develop them for our use.”