Bharathiar University has constituted a building committee to evaluate the condition of its ageing infrastructure following damage caused by heavy rain and strong winds to the MBA department building on the campus, registrar R Rajavel announced on Saturday.
Rain Damage on Campus
Coimbatore city and its surrounding areas experienced intense rainfall on Friday, leading to the uprooting of three large trees on the university campus. One of these trees fell onto the MBA block, resulting in severe damage to the roof and ceiling. The collapse of the ceiling allowed rainwater to enter the rooms where answer sheets were stored. Rajavel stated that a detailed assessment of the damage would be completed by Sunday.
University authorities have initiated debris clearance and removal of the fallen trees using cranes. The newly formed building committee includes four syndicate members, a university engineer, and another university representative. Their task is to inspect old structures on campus and prepare cost estimates for repair and restoration work.
Ageing Structures Require Review
Rajavel noted that several buildings on the campus, including the main building, staff quarters, and hostels, are over 45 years old and require a thorough structural review. He added that the ongoing two-month academic break provides an opportunity to carry out repairs without disrupting regular activities.
Additionally, a separate tree survey committee was formed this week to identify ageing and vulnerable trees on the campus. The committee will recommend whether any trees should be pruned or removed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
University officials are expected to submit preliminary assessments on both building safety and tree conditions in the coming days.
