Construction works at BU halt
A portion of buildings at Bharathiar University in Coimbatore where construction was stopped because of rise in labour costs .Four major construction works at Bharathiar University that were planned as part of its silver jubilee are yet to take off. Despite two tenders being called for by the Public Works Department (PWD), not even one contractor has bid for it.The Nanotechnology Centre, indoor stadium, international students’ hostel and amenities centre are waiting to take shape in the sprawling campus of the university. The university received funds from the State Government for the construction.The amount granted two years ago was considered sufficient for construction and labour costs during that period.The current market rate based on the construction and labour costs works up to Rs. 600 per sq.ft., while the Government rate is far less.N. Mohan, civil engineer, Real Builders, says: “Here a mason is paid Rs. 300 a day. Only about 10 per cent of the construction labourers are from Coimbatore. From January 2007, the rate has shot up from Rs. 220 to Rs. 300. This is the highest in the whole State. Even the cost of construction material like cement (Rs. 250 a bag), steel (Rs.33 per kg) and brick (Rs. 8,500 for 3,000), are the highest in the State. The cost of sand varies day-to-day and is also the highest because of the huge transportation costs, as the nearest sand quarry is Karur.”
“Government rate and market rate do not match. The tender quoted by the PWD contains Government rates. If the construction is taking place in an urban area, 10 per cent excess is allowed. But in a rural area, nothing can be paid in excess. Since the university is also technically in a “forest area”, the problem is further compounded,” says Vice-Chancellor G. Thiruvasagam.According to him, the Government has to intervene for anything to happen. The university has already written to the Higher Education Secretariat, Chennai, to consider allowing excess payment towards construction and labour costs. But, there has been no response.For another building that is under construction in the premises by another agency, the rate has been enhanced by 25 per cent. Since the Government rate has not been applied, the building is coming up in a fast pace.The Vice-Chancellor has appealed to the State Government to bring the area of the university within “urban limits”. But, it has conveyed the inability to do so. The university is at a loss with no solution in sight. It is awaiting a “Good Samaritan” contractor to take up the works.
