Khurshid red-flags Jamia Metro station

Khurshid wrote to Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal on July 27 urging him to intervene in the interest of the “very important historical university” of the Capital.

“Opening up the heart of the university to a station would lead to enormous problems of security as well as sanctity of the university campus,” Khurshid wrote in the letter. His letter said the issue should be considered at the highest level and appropriate remedial steps be taken.

Jamia Vice-Chancellor Najeeb Jung was the first to oppose the station when,in 2011,he listed out his objections to the then Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief E Sreedharan.

In a letter to Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath this Tuesday,Jung again argued that the station would divide the university campus into two halves. This,Jung wrote,will disturb departments located within 30 yards and be a nuisance for students.

“It would take away the beauty of the lawns and gardens inaugurated by former Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. These buildings and grounds are part of a historical legacy,” he wrote.

In another letter to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit,on January 31 this year,Jung said if the station is built,outsiders would stray into the campus and could create friction between students and residents.

“Two stations are located on either side of the Jamia Nagar station (Ishwar Nagar and Okhla Vihar). They are within walking distance from the campus,” he wrote,indicating the station was not required at all.

All three stations are proposed.

But DMRC’s Director (Works) Jitender Tyagi said the station would cause minimum disruption in the university’s functioning.

“Minimal amount of space is being used to ensure that the structure and the premises suffer no damage. It should be understood that not all stations can be underground,hence an overhead line will pass through the campus,” he said.

A senior Delhi Metro official said the rail operator issued the work order for the station to a contractor this May and ground work for the structure has already begun.