Ahmedabad: A controversy has erupted at Gujarat University (GU) following the inauguration of the newly constructed Dhruv Kamal Research Bhavan, as excavation work for a basement began within days of the building being declared complete.The issue surfaced after the students’ body National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) shared images of digging activity inside the premises, alleging that the building was inaugurated in haste for publicity.NSUI members questioned how the facility could be inaugurated without key infrastructure such as basement parking, calling it a lapse in execution.The student body demanded action against the architect and officials involved, along with a probe into the decision-making process. It further alleged that the ongoing excavation has rendered the building unusable.Responding to the allegations, university authorities said the excavation was intended to establish a brain mapping laboratory under the Institute of Defence Studies and Research (IDSR). Officials maintained that the requirement for the lab emerged after the building’s completion and that inadequate height clearance necessitated the additional basement work.However, the clarification has done little to quell criticism. Concerns have also been raised over the role of retired officials appointed by the university on high salaries, who reportedly did not respond to queries on the matter.
