City varsities plan to renovate British era buildings, approach PWD for assistance

City varsities plan to renovate British era buildings, approach PWD for assistance

Yogesh.Kabirdoss@timesgroup.com

Chennai:28.11.2020

Two iconic British era buildings at the Oriental Research Institute (attached to the University of Madras) on Kamarajar Salai and Madras Veterinary College (attached to Tanuvas) in Vepery may be renovated. The universities have approached the Public Works Department (PWD) for assistance to restore the structures.

While the Madras Veterinary College on Vepery High Road is a century-old structure built in 1904, the Oriental Research Institute was constructed in 1935. The two-storey veterinary college with Madras terrace roofing has elaborate stone trimmings over pointed arches and terracotta infill panels of animal figures in the central bay. The Indo-Saracenic styled structure was established over an area of 28,000 square feet.

The Oriental Research Institute, popularly known as Marina campus of the University of Madras, has eight wide pillars at the entrance. The building, spread over one acre, had been functioning as an examination hall for 50 years before housing various departments since 1977. At present, the Marina campus has eight departments for multiple Indian and foreign languages, and three centres.

According to PWD sources, it would take Rs 4.5 crore and Rs 3.5 crore to renovate Oriental Research Institute and Madras Veterinary College. “We have sent the estimates to the universities for approval,” a PWD official said. The educational institutions will have to foot the bill.

University of Madras is planning to execute the renovation in a phased manner due to limited funds. It has sought the PWD to split the renovation into three phases.

Tanuvas vice-chancellor Dr C Balachandran said estimation has been sought from the PWD. “We are yet to finalise the renovation,” he said.

STANDING TALL: Madras Veterinary College (left) and the Oriental Research Institute