Ministers EV Velu, Ambil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and P. Murthy inspecting an interactive installation for children at the upcoming Kalaignar Memorial Library, in Madurai on Sunday. , photo credit: R Ashok
Public Works and Highways Minister EV Velu on Sunday said that ninety eight per cent construction work of Muthamizha Arignar Kalaignar Memorial Library has been completed and it will be inaugurated soon.
He was addressing media persons after inspecting the state-of-the-art six-storey library complex to be built on New Natham Road. Commercial Taxes Minister P. Murthy and School Education Minister Anil Mahesh Poyyamozhi were present.
“The library, being set up in honor of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, Chief Minister M.K. A dream project for Stalin. It is a tribute to Mr. Karunanidhi who was Chief Minister for five terms and had a long and successful public life,” Mr. Velu said.
He said that the library complex, when completed, would be a boon for the people of southern districts and added that the date of inauguration was yet to be finalised.
“Inside the library, installation of furniture and bookshelves and other minor works are pending, which will be completed by May 15. There will be a pile of books on the shelves. Some of the exterior work, including the installation of the statue of Mr. Karunanidhi, will be completed by the end of the month,” Mr. Velu said.
The minister said that the statue of Shri Karunanidhi, installed at Omandurar Government Estate in Chennai, would be unveiled on his birth anniversary, June 3. “President Draupadi Murmu is expected to inaugurate the 1,000-bed Kalaignar Memorial Multi Super Specialty Hospital at Guindy on June 5, set up at a cost of Rs 230 crore,” he said.
Responding to a question as to how Governor RN Ravi’s criticism of the library having only stacks of books in Tamil and English languages fueled a separatist sentiment, Mr. Velu said that any state government was only a driving force for the Governor. Will wish to be “But Mr. Ravi keeps on making controversial statements time and again, which the Stalin-led government always ignores,” he said.
MLAs G Thalapathy and M Bominathan, Collector S Anish Shekhar, PWD Chief Engineer KP Satyamurthy, Director of Public Library K Ilambahwat and others were present.