Deputy CM lays foundation for transforming Madurai into Smart City

Madurai is one of the hundred cities in India to have chosen under the ‘Smart Cities Mission’ through the Ministry of Urban Development. The Deputy Chief Minister along with Cooperation Minister Sellur K Raju, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management RB Udhayakumar, Forest Minister Dindigul C Sreenivasan, Madurai MP R Gopalakrishnan and Commissioner of Municipal Administration G Prakash performed bhoomi pooja for the development projects.

Under the scheme, infrastructural development projects to the tune of Rs 1,020 crore in total was earmarked. Among the projects, the Madurai central bus stand, known as Periyar bus stand would emerge as a new venue with state of the art infrastructure at an estimated cost of Rs 159.70 crore. The Periyar bus stand redevelopment project on 7.47 acres, which was designed to accommodate 64 buses, would also have facilities to park 371 cars, 4,865 two-wheelers and 429 shops.  Besides, multi-level vehicle parking project at a cost of Rs 40.19 crore, Vaigai riverfront development works at a cost of Rs 81.41 crore, development of heritage sites especially at Meenakshi Amman Temple at a cost of Rs 72.39 crore and tourism facilities near Periyar bus stand at a cost of Rs 2.65 crore would be established under the scheme.

These projects were expected to be completed within a period of 18 months. Crediting former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, Panneerselvam said it was due to her smart idea and strenuous efforts, 13 cities in Tamil Nadu attracted such major development projects. He said, “Once these infrastructural projects are over, people would not experience problem concerning traffic congestions. The living standards of people will also improve.” More lighting facility and CCTV cameras would be installed in the city. Heritage structures would be preserved and protected, he added.

Cooperation Minister Sellur Raju said it was a moment of pride for the people of Madurai, which would transform city on a par with Sydney. Only during the AIADMK regime, lot of development works were taking place in Madurai, he added.

While citing efforts by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and the Deputy Chief Minister in selecting Madurai for the AIIMS Hospital, the Revenue Minister said Madurai would emerge as a complete modern city in five years.

Earlier, Madurai Collector S Natarajan welcomed the gathering. Later, Commissioner of Madurai Corporation S Aneesh Sekhar proposed a vote of thanks. Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, S Davidson Devasirvatham and officials from various departments participated in the function.