The Hindu 11.12.2009
Works to improve infrastructure in Coimbatore will begin soon: Stalin
Staff Reporter
— Photo: S. Siva Saravanan
Spot study: Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin (centre), inspecting the CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex, venue for the World Classical Tamil Conference, in Coimbatore on Thursday. Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy (second right), is in the picture.
Coimbatore: Various departments and local bodies in and around Coimbatore have drawn up proposals and estimates to the tune of Rs 300 crore for improving infrastructure here and the works would begin soon, Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said on Thursday.
He was here to plan and review the arrangements for the World Classical Tamil conference to be held in June next. He was accompanied by Special Officer for the Conference K. Allaudin.
Mr.Stalin said that proposals for improving the infrastructure had come even from Municipalities, Town Panchayats and Panchayats.
Earlier, he visited VOC Park to assess whether the procession could start from there and en route he inspected sites for putting up stages for the Chief Minister and delegates to watch the procession. Various events of the conference would take place in 20 halls of the Coimbatore District Small Scale Industries Association (CODISSIA) Trade Fair Complex. Mr. Stalin went around this complex also.
Later, he visited the Coimbatore Central Prison area as the Government has decided to shift the prison to a place outside the city and set up a botanical garden to commemorate the conference.
Mr. Stalin told reporters that of the 165 acres within the prison premises, 93 acres was lying unutilised. That area would be used for setting up the botanical garden in the first phase and the rest of the works would be taken up after shifting the prison. It would be made the first of its kind botanical garden in the State with access points from Dr.Nanjappa Road, Bharathiar Road, Balasundaram Road and ATT Colony. For locating the prison outside the city, three places had been identified and were under consideration of the government. Of the land available with the Central prison, a few acres would be set aside for expanding, improving and modernising the bus stand at Gandhipuram. During the Tamil conference, there would be enhanced attention on controlling and preventing A (H1N1) influenza, he said responding to a query. Equipment were on the way for setting up an A (H1N1) testing laboratory at the Microbiology Department of the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital.
