Patna, May 12: The Patna University campus has turned into an encroacher’s paradise.

It seems anybody can encroach upon the campus and erect a structure and there is no one to question them.

Walking along the Patna Science College, one of oldest college and believed to be the pride of Patna University, one can easily find a number of makeshift structures unchallenged.

The college is in the process of being upgraded as a centre of excellence with the assistance of Japanese grant aid programme through which the college will get Rs 127 crore for developing its basic infrastructure, such as renovation of laboratory, development of classes and also developing facilities for research work.

However, no effort has been taken either by the college administration or by the university to remove the illegal structures and quarters.

One will find college employees and their relatives living in the garages meant for parking the vehicles of teachers and other officials.

A senior teacher of Patna College said these garages were meant for parking vehicles of teachers but with time these have been occupied by university grade IV employees and their relatives.

These people not only live in garages but also use the electricity and water of the college, said the senior teacher.

While the university is facing severe power crisis, as the electricity connection on the main campus has been cut-off because more than seven months of non-payment of electricity bill dues, no action has been taken by college and varsity administration to remove these persons or disconnect power supply to these encroached quarters.

The issue of power theft at Patna Science College by illegally constructed quarters for a long time assumes larger importance, as Patna University owes more than Rs 60 crore to Bihar State Electricity Board in arrears.

Moreover, apart from encroached garage and government building meant for grade IV employees there has been encroachment by some persons who run eateries on the college campus.

Balram Rai, who has been running an eatery on college campus for more than six years said: “I had no information about what to pay as rent.”

Similarly, at a site adjacent to NIT of Patna Science College there are a few who have kept cows and buffaloes on the college campus.

Meanwhile, Patna Science College principal Kashi Nath said: “We are looking into these issues. A retired person who is living illegally on the science college campus has been served with a notice to vacate the place.”

Nath said we have urged the district administration and university authorities to remove the man.

On the issue of keeping domestic animals within the college campus he said college administration’s work is to provide quality teaching and restore the lost glory of Patna Science College.

He added we do not have much time to find out about employees who are keeping domestic animals on the college campus.