Three new buildings of the University of Madras, constructed a year ago on its campuses in Taramani, Guindy and Marina, remain unused as they are yet to be handed over by the respective contractors to the university administration. The buildings were constructed at an estimated cost of ₹100 crore and include a guest house as well as facilities for laboratories, hostels and various departments.
With the new buildings remaining under lock and key, a section of faculty members is claiming that the unoccupied building in Taramani is being used by anti-social elements.
Some faculty members alleged that the quality of construction of the building in Guindy was poor.
Private contractors
Incidentally, these buildings, unlike other government buildings, were not constructed by the Public Works Department. The task was executed by private contractors.
The guest house on the Marina campus, which was renovated, has been especially controversial.
“The audit of accounts for the year 2015-16 estimated the loss from rent from the guest house at ₹43.96 lakh,” pointed out a faculty member.
Last year, syndicate members alleged that one of the building contractors was paid ₹5 crore without the approval of all the three members of the vice-chancellor’s convenor committee that is administering university affairs in the absence of the vice-chancellor.
The issue is again being raised in the corridors of the university ahead of the end of the tenure of its registrar P. David Jawahar, whose three-year term ends on Monday.
However, when contacted, Mr. Jawahar said, “Every payment was made with the approval of the Building Committee and the syndicate, which includes university professors.”
