Mysuru: Construction of a new building for Maharani’s Science College for Women on JLB Road is progressing, with 90% of the work completed as of early Aug, according to Karnataka Housing Board (KHB), the implementing agency.The project was taken up at a cost of Rs 54 crore. If all goes well, KHB plans to complete the building by Feb next year. Tile-laying work is currently under way. Except for plastering, wiring and electrification, only minor works remain.The 9,292sqmt structure, designed in a traditional style, will house 20 classrooms with a seating capacity of 120 students each, 10 laboratories, four seminar halls with a seating capacity of 100 students each, four multipurpose rooms with a seating capacity of 100 students each, a library hall with seating for 200 students, two elevators, a green room, good ventilation and long corridors.Speaking to TOI, Chamaraja MLA K Harishgowda said 90% of the civil works had been completed. Except for pending interior-design work, most of the construction has been completed.“I have also prevailed upon the state govt to release additional Rs 8 crores required to complete the remaining pending works of the new building,” he said.College principal NK Leelavathi said she had requested the MLA, who is also chairman of the College Development Committee, to allow the new building to be opened for students from the academic year 2026-27.The implementing agency and the MLA have promised to complete the fully fledged building by the end of Feb 2027 and hand it over to the department of higher education, she said.The new building was sanctioned after a portion of the century-old heritage building collapsed during heavy rains in Oct 2022, killing a construction worker during restoration work. The then chief minister Siddaramaiah sanctioned the funds and laid the foundation stone for the new building on Nov 13, 2024.The 108-year-old building, constructed in 1917 with the foresight of Mysuru Maharani Vani Vilasa, sustained major damage twice. The first incident occurred in Oct 2022 when a portion of the chemistry laboratory caved in. The second occurred later the same month and resulted in the death of a construction worker. On both occasions, students and staff were present.The college currently has around 3,600 students from Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Kodagu, Mandya and districts in north Karnataka pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Of them, 1,044 students have joined first-year BSc, BCA and postgraduate programmes this year.
