Conduct safety audit for school buildings in Pudukottai: Plea

Madurai: Madras high court on Friday sought a response from the state on a plea seeking a direction to the authorities to conduct an emergency safety audit, and to repair and reconstruct buildings of the primary and middle schools which are in a dilapidated condition in various panchayat unions in Pudukottai district.A division bench of justice G Jayachandran and justice K K Ramakrishnan was hearing a public interest litigation filed by K Muruganandam.The petitioner stated that he visited various primary and middle schools situated in Ponnamaravathi, Thirumayam, Aranthangi, Avudayarkoil, and Kunnandarkoil panchayat unions in the district. Most schools were in a dilapidated condition, with cracked walls, roofs, and structural failures requiring immediate demolition. However, the students continued studying in these dangerous buildings every day.He stated that he made an application under RTI to the concerned authorities requesting comprehensive details of damaged govt school buildings in the panchayat unions. The RTI information revealed that school buildings in the panchayat unions were in a damaged and dilapidated condition, posing a grave risk to students' lives due to structural instability, leaking roofs, and cracked walls. It was evident that school infrastructure across these five panchayat unions demanded immediate structural audits, demolition of unsafe structures, and reconstruction to safeguard the lives of the students.He stated that he submitted a representation to conduct emergency structural safety audits in primary and middle schools in the panchayat unions, and to repair and reconstruct new school buildings as per prescribed rules and regulations. However, so far, no steps were taken. Hence, the petitioner moved court.