The 60-year-old Government College of Engineering at Karuppur in Salem district is currently grappling with severe infrastructure neglect and a lack of basic amenities, leaving students and faculty demoralized. Established in 1966 and spread across nearly 400 acres, the college hosts more than 2,000 undergraduate and 360 postgraduate students, along with approximately 150 faculty members.
Crumbling Infrastructure and Safety Concerns
Despite being one of Tamil Nadu's oldest government engineering colleges, the campus now presents a picture of decay. Buildings exhibit deep cracks and water seepage, ceilings are stained with leaks, and restroom facilities are in poor condition with peeling paint, mold patches, and corroded piping. A third-year engineering student, speaking anonymously to The Times of India, described the dire situation: "Roads inside the campus are riddled with potholes and stagnant water, while the absence of streetlights has left large sections of the campus in darkness after dusk." The student also noted that overgrown bushes and the presence of reptiles have added to the unease among students.
Student and Parent Outcry
Another third-year mechanical engineering student echoed these concerns, stating, "The environment here is unsafe and demoralizing. During rain, the roads turn into pools of water. Walking to class feels like crossing a swamp." A female student from the computer science department expressed her disappointment: "We feel ignored. Authorities must understand that infrastructure is as important as academics." Parents have also urged the government to act swiftly, warning that the college risks losing its credibility if basic amenities are not restored.
Principal's Response and Future Plans
When contacted by The Times of India, the college's principal, V Geetha, acknowledged the issues and said she had approached the public works department to prepare a proposal for a new building. "We have started a new artificial intelligence course in our college, for which we have proposed a new building," she said. She assured that students in dilapidated classrooms would be shifted to the new building once construction is completed, and that other issues would be sorted out at the earliest.
The college, once a regional center for Anna University's PhD and MS programs, now faces an urgent need for infrastructure upgrades to restore its reputation and ensure student safety.
