Govt. staff demand renovation of dilapidated Collectorate buildings

A dilapidated building on Ramanathapuram Collector’s Office campus. | Photo Credit: L. Balachandar Government staff and employees working within the Ramanathapuram district administration call for renovation of the aging building of old Collector’s office.Having stood for over two decades without any major overhauls, the structure has suffered significant wear and tear from continuous exposure to harsh sunlight and heavy rains, according to local sources.“Housing several key offices, including the Chief Education Office, District Education Office, Mahila Court, Assistant Commissioner of Excise Office, and the National Highways Land Acquisition Office, the building has suffered structural damage due to lack of maintenance,” said Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association district president L. Vijayaramalingam.“Internal water pipelines had ruptured, causing leaks that were seeping into the structure and worsening the cracks,” he noted.“Furthermore, continuous water seepage through the walls and the intrusive growth of plants have caused numerous cracks on the building over the years,” he added.As the pipelines fixed inside the building had been damaged, the water leaking through it expanded the cracks and other damages to the building further, he noted.Mr. Vijayaramalingam pointed out that another building directly opposite the new Collectorate, housing the Treasury, the Cooperative Department Joint Director’s Office, Social Welfare Department, Panchayat Union Audit Office, Agricultural Engineering Office, and a Post Office, was in a similarly dilapidated state and required urgent repairs.Despite submitting multiple representations to Public Works Department officials, the renovation works had yet to begin, he lamented.“If these buildings had been regularly maintained with routine painting and cleaning, the damage would not have been this severe. Neglecting their upkeep has only made things worse,” he noted. Published - September 01, 2026 10:35 pm IST