MADURAI: In a major development push for the southern region, Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday inaugurated and laid the foundation for a series of infrastructure and IT projects in Madurai, amounting to thousands of crores.
The centrepiece of the visit was the commissioning of a Rs 1,536.31-crore combined drinking water scheme. Implemented by the TWAD Board, the project will supply potable water to 867 rural habitations across seven unions, benefiting over 10.93 lakh people, strengthening water security in drought-prone areas.
On the technology front, Stalin inaugurated the expanded Global Engineering Centre of Excellence of Pinnacle Infotech at the ELCOT IT Park. Developed at Rs 150 crore, the facility is expected to employ around 2,000 professionals. In a further boost to the IT corridor, ELCOT signed an MoU with HCLTech to allot 2.41 acres at the Ilanthaikulam SEZ for a Rs 150-crore project, projected to create 1,000 jobs. Officials stated the initiatives are part of a calibrated strategy to position Madurai as a key growth hub in southern Tamil Nadu.
Stalin inaugurated two major flyovers to ease urban congestion. The 1.305 km Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose flyover, built at Rs 213.80 crore, will decongest the busy Goripalayam junction. Another flyover, named after Veerapandiya Kattabomman, was opened between Thirumangalam and Kalligudi to ensure smoother access to the airport corridor.
Stalin also inaugurated the renovated Vandiyur Park, upgraded at a cost of Rs 50 crore. A new science centre at Karimedu, developed at Rs 3.5 crore, was inaugurated to foster experiential learning for school students.
The CM also inaugurated the freedom fighters Maruthu brothers' statue at Surakulam in Sivaganga district. The Maruthu brothers-- Periya Maruthu and Chinna Maruthu, who ruled the Sivaganga kingdom and rebelled against the British, were hanged to death on October 24, 1801. The HP Computer Skills Development Centre, established at a cost of Rs 50 lakh at Meenakshi Government Women’s Arts College, was also inaugurated. Stalin also inaugurated Town Panchayat Office Building and Council Meeting Hall constructed at a cost of Rs 1.67 crore in Vadipatti Special Grade Town Panchayat of Madurai.