CHENNAI: In an initiative to encourage reading habits, the Chief Minister, MK Stalin, laid a foundation stone for the construction of a new building for the Mayiladuthurai District Central Library at an estimated cost of Rs 4.40 crore here on Monday.

In addition, catering to the needs of government school students, CM Stalin inaugurated additional buildings for schools, including model schools and hostel buildings constructed by the School Education Department for a total of Rs 210.17 crore. Additionally, library buildings built for Rs 19.72 crore have also been inaugurated.

According to the School Education Department, a total of 392 new classrooms, four laboratory buildings, 16 toilets for both girls and boys, eight drinking water facilities, two district government model school buildings, and hostel buildings in 60 government schools across 20 districts for Rs 113.68 crore have been constructed.

Additionally, 68 library buildings were constructed in 20 districts for Rs 17.82 crore on behalf of the Directorate of Public Library, and three branch library buildings were constructed for Rs 1.90 crore in Cuddalore, Thanjavur and Nagapattinam districts.

The 392 new classrooms have been constructed in 20 districts, namely Chengalpattu, Coimbatore, Cuddalore, and Dharmapuri, among others. Two district government model school buildings and hostel buildings were constructed in Manjakuppam of Cuddalore taluk and Kedar village in Villupuram.