Even in the wake of government announcement that it will start five engineering colleges in the state this year, the application for starting new engineering colleges from the private players amounted to 120. This is expected to create more than 9500 additional seats for BE when the admissions start in summer. Mr Anbazhagan, Finance Minister, in his budget speech had said that the government will start the new engineering colleges through Anna University in Thiruannamalai,Thanjavur, Dindigul,Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari.