CHENNAI: Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday inaugurated new housing units constructed at a total cost of Rs 1,003 crore in five locations in Chennai. The inauguration was held through video conference from the Secretariat in the presence of Ministers and officials of the departments concerned.

The Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) has constructed 304 housing Units at Arumbakkam, 216 units at Ashok Nagar, 16 Units at Besant Nagar, 80 Units at Padikuppam and 24 units at Nungambakkam.

The newly constructed housing units are equipped with basic amenities, including lifts, fire alarms, CCTV surveillance systems and solar power facilities.

Under the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board, the Chief Minister also inaugurated 125 housing units at Kulantha Goundanur in Karur district. In another programme, Vijay inaugurated new police station buildings at five locations, including Kothaval Chavadi and Medavakkam in the city.

He also inaugurated two new industrial estates at Perundurai in Erode and Nayanoor village in Villupuram. The two industrial estates are expected to generate direct and indirect employment opportunities for 2,550 people.

Further, he inaugurated a Common Facility Centre for coir clusters at Mudalipalayam in Tirupur, which is expected to provide direct and indirect employment opportunities to 500 people.

In a separate event, Vijay distributed sanction orders to farmers under the special incentive scheme providing Rs 709.50 per tonne of sugarcane. With an allocation of Rs 603.33 crore, around 85,000 sugarcane farmers are expected to benefit under the scheme.