University of Madras Races to Renovate Aging Oriental Research Institute

On October 28, 2025, the University of Madras has directed all departments functioning in the Oriental Research Institute (ORI) building on the Marina campus to vacate the premises by October 31 to facilitate an urgent renovation project.

The 90-year-old red brick building with stone pillars has been deemed unsafe due to structural concerns. The steel columns within the brick structure have corroded, weakening the building's stability. Additionally, some of the stone pillars on the facade have developed cracks, raising safety risks for passersby. To mitigate the danger, the university has erected temporary fences to prevent people from walking under the building's sunshades.

The state government has sanctioned ₹19 crore for the renovation of the ORI building under a special projects initiative. However, the university administration must commence the renovation work by November, or the allocated funds may be reverted to the government. As a result, the nine departments currently operating out of the building, including Tamil language, Sanskrit, and Islamic studies, have been ordered to vacate the premises.

While the university claims to have offered alternative spaces in an adjacent building and the guest house, professors argue that the relocation plan lacks proper arrangements. They state that the campus requires more than 45 rooms, including classrooms, faculty offices, and research scholar spaces, which have not been adequately addressed. The university is currently in negotiations with the faculty members to finalize the temporary relocation plan.