Three new parks inaugurated in Madurai

MADURAI: Three parks in the city developed by Madurai Corporation were inaugurated by tourism minister Gokula Indira on Wednesday. The parks, which serve as breathing spots in the city limits, also provide a space for leisure to the public at strategic places like the Periyar Bus Stand, Meenakshi Amman temple and Thirumalai Naicker Mahal.

 

Under the government's Mega Tourism Scheme, the corporation had taken up the project of establishing the Meenakshi Park near the temple at the cost of Rs 34 lakh, the Thulasiram Park in front of Naickar Mahal at the cost of Rs 20 lakh and the Fortress Park at Western Gate near Periyar Bus Stand for Rs 75 lakh. The park and pathway around Naickar Mahal has been developed by the corporation at the cost of Rs 84 lakh through the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. The parks are equipped with meadows, pathways, fountains, lighting and benches and the parks at Periyar and Meenakshi Amman temple are provided with small amphitheatres which can host cultural programmes.

 

Inaugurating the parks, Gokula Indira said the total cost for the projects was Rs 2.13 crore from tourism funds of the state and central governments. She also announced that the eco-park at Tiruparankundram would be inaugurated soon. A permanent gallery for jallikattu would be constructed at Alanganallur, she added.Colourful folk dances were performed at the Meenakshi Park as part of the inaugural function.