Minister E.V. Velu inspects the site for a new library at Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli district on Monday.
| Photo Credit: A. SHAIKMOHIDEEN
Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli district is all set to get a new library on three acres of land belonging to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital near District Industries Centre on South High Ground Road on an outlay of ₹100 crore.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday after inspecting the proposed site for the library, Mr. Velu said the Tamil Nadu Government had earlier sanctioned libraries for Madurai, Coimbatore and Tiruchi districts. Three acres of land near the District Industries Centre had been selected for the library in Tirunelveli.
The facility would come up on an 77,586 square feet area and include a 250-seat auditorium, competitive examination section, children’s section with mini theatre, digital library, food court and five lifts. The detailed project report was being prepared, and drawings from private architects were being received for the proposed landmark structure.
“All works will be completed before May 15 and submitted to the government for final approval. Hence, civil work will start this fiscal itself once the funds are released. If Revised Administrative Sanction is needed for adding more facilities in the library, it will also be done as we will get special permission from the Chief Minister”, Mr. Velu said.
On the progress of construction of Porunai Museum on the outskirts of Palayamkottai on an outlay of ₹33 crore, Mr. Velu said civil work of the museum, which would exhibit the Adichanallur, Sivakalai and Korkai artefacts, would be completed before May-end. Visitor-friendly amenities such as ramps, battery-operated vehicles, lawns and fountains were being created.
Interior work such as showcases with proper lighting would start in the first week of June by Chennai and Mumbai-based firms so as to complete the work by August-end. After getting the Chief Minister’s approval, the museum would be inaugurated.
The Minister said infrastructure development works in southern districts such as laying of 33 km-long west Tirunelveli Bypass Road were gaining momentum. Even as the laying to the road for 11 km in the first phase at a cost of ₹160 crore was going on, land acquisition for laying the road for 22 km was going on. The funds for the second phase would be released once land acquisition was completed.
Land acquisition for constructing the ‘Y’-shaped rail over bridge at Kulavanigarpuram manned level crossing at a cost of ₹99 crore was going on following appeal from Palayamkottai MLA M. Abdul Wahab. A Detailed Project Report had been submitted with the Department of Highways. The tender for the ROB would be floated for starting the civil work once the DPR was approved.
Asked about the accident in which a couple from Tirupur was killed after their two-wheeler fell in a deep pit dug for bridge construction, Mr. Velu said extra precautionary measures were being taken to avert mishaps. Officials had been instructed to take all preventive measures to caution the public in places where road works were going on. “Unfortunately, some accidents happen despite the precautionary measures. If the officials do not take due precautionary steps, they will face stringent action.”
Following improved patronage for Nagapattinam-Sri Lanka ferry service, the Tamil Nadu Government had submitted with the Centre a Detailed Project Report proposing introduction of a similar service between Rameswaram and Sri Lanka.
“We are waiting for approval and funds from the Central Government for the project,” said Mr. Velu, lamenting about the delay in release of funds to the tune of ₹4,000 crore from the Union Government for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme.
Collector R. Sukumar, Mr. Abdul Wahab and Mayor G. Ramakrishnan were present.
Published – May 05, 2025 06:31 pm IST