Top private arts and science colleges from Chennai and other districts met with Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday to present their request for a revision of the land area norms required to operate their institutions.

Currently, starting a new self-financing college within corporation or municipality limits necessitates two to three acres of land, while a minimum of five acres is required in town or village panchayat limits.

Colleges established prior to 2014 and situated within city limits are appealing to the government to adopt the same criteria for them, allowing the surplus land to be utilized for the establishment of new colleges or schools.

Despite provisions being made for playgrounds, stadiums, and libraries, many institutions have unused land. “Instead, these areas could be repurposed for educational ventures,” noted Vikas Surana, General Secretary of the Association of Management of Private Colleges.

It should be noted that over the past eight years, numerous new colleges have emerged, resulting in a decrease in enrollment at older institutions established prior to 2014. Surana expressed that if the government were to amend the regulations to make these lands available for educational purposes, it would greatly benefit the students.