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COIMBATORE: The Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) on Monday sealed a building belonging to private engineering college for women at Karumathampatti, on the outskirts of the city. It was found that the building did not have approval from the DTCP.

Though the entire building, with an area of over 16,700 sq m, was constructed without approval, the officials sealed only the college principal's room and another office room under sections 56 and 57 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971.

The officials refrained from sealing the whole building so that students are not affected.

The action was taken by a three-member team led by K Mookaiah, Deputy Director (in-charge), DTCP, Coimbatore region. The DTCP had sent four notices to the college, the first on on September 5, 2012 advising it to get the building plan approved. However, it did not do so, said Mookaiah.

“We have sent four notices to the college. The last notice was placed in the college premises on February 12. However, they have not bothered to respond to us,” he said.

Sources said DTCP sent notices to 84 colleges in Coimbatore region (Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode and Udagamandalam districts) after they were found to have constructed buildings in violation of norms and without DTCP approval.

“Nine of them later obtained approval. Applications from 27 colleges are being processed. However, there has been no reply from 48 colleges,” he said.

“We will take similar action against a college in Pollachi in the coming days. Other buildings found without approval will be also be sealed in phases,” Mookaiah added.

Clarification by College

Meanwhile, a press release from the college said all efforts were being made to get necessary approval for its buildings the DTCP.

A press release from the college management said the examinations that are on and the hostel facilities for students have not been affected in any way. “The students and their parents are advised not to believe rumours,” it said.

For details, students can contact phone numbers 94425 92800, 98410 49841, 93446 04658, 936441 16161 and 93644 17171, it added.