All set for construction of new Collectorate

TIRUCHI: Construction of the integrated Collectorate complex for Tiruchi and a new building for the Tiruchi Taluk Office is all set to begin. The foundation stones for the projects would be laid by the Local Administration Minister M. K. Stalin on Friday.

The State government has sanctioned Rs.12 crore for the construction of the complex, which would have about one lakh square feet of office space. The new complex would be built at the existing Collector’s office campus, where some of the old buildings are to be demolished. The integrated complex is expected to be built within a year’s time.

The new Collectorate would come up in about 25 acres. Adjoining lands belonging to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and the State Transport Corporation, Pudukottai, have been taken over for the purpose. Demolition of some of the buildings in the two sites has already begun. The two agencies have been provided alternative sites at Edamalaipattipudur.

Mr. Stalin would also lay the foundation stone for the new office building for the Tiruchi Taluk Office, currently functioning at the Town Hall in the City. The new office would be located near the District Rural Development Agency’s Rural Mart on Bharathidasan Road in Cantonment. The project has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs.1.54 crore.

The shifting of the taluk office would come as a relief to residents as the existing office at the ancient Rani Mangammal Darbar Hall complex, was located in the middle of the congested commercial locality. The heritage building complex is cramped for space and Taluk Office functions with limited infrastructure.

The expanded ‘Chettipalam’ across the Uyyakondan River in the City would also be declared open by the Minister. The Corporation decided to widen the narrow bridge as it has turned a traffic bottleneck. The bridge running for a length of about 40 metres has been widened by about 10 metres to ensure smooth traffic flow. The expanded portion would have a 7.5 metres wide carriageway. The project has been executed at a cost of Rs.1.12 crore.

These apart, two major bridges built near Manapparai, at Sevalur and Vellakal, at a total cost of about Rs.2 crore would be declared open on Friday. The Manapparai Municipality would also get a new office at a cost of Rs.75 lakh and Mr. Stalin would lay the foundation stone for the project.