Two CU Shah colleges in Ahmedabad remain closed amid privatisation concerns

Two granted colleges at CU Shah campus on Ashram Road in Ahmedabad that have remained shut since 2022, have raised concerns over alleged privatisation plans. The management is reportedly considering shutting the colleges permanently and converting the land into commercial buildings, according to sources.

Over the past three years, students from these known colleges affiliated with Gujarat University have had no option but to join private institutions due to the closures.

The colleges, including a commerce college near the Income Tax office, had applied for new admissions, citing building safety concerns. While the university initially approved the applications, the management later approached the Gujarat High Court, which ruled that both colleges should be removed from the admission lists. Since then, no new admissions have been allowed, and second-and third-year batches completed their courses a year ago.

Sources indicate that three to four years ago, the trustees of the colleges changed. The old trustees reportedly relinquished control, and the new trustees are alleged to have neglected student interests, fuelling fears that the colleges may be permanently closed and redeveloped commercially.

The current management has informed the government that the buildings are dilapidated and require closure, proposing the construction of new buildings within five years. 

A structural report prepared by a municipal-approved engineer reportedly confirmed unsafe conditions. Some laboratory buildings have already collapsed.

Renovation of remaining structures is expected to start soon, and the management claims that the colleges will not be permanently closed.

In response to college closures, the government has issued orders to transfer affected teachers and staff to other granted institutions under deputation, suggesting that the colleges might remain non-operational in the interim.

Critics allege that the structural report may have been commissioned to justify closure. They warn that if similar inspections were conducted statewide, many other dilapidated government and granted school-college buildings could face closure as well.