Plans are afoot to construct a convention centre at Avaniapuram at an estimated cost of Rs.6 crore. Around 9.5 acres of Corporation land have been identified for this purpose.
This was the major announcement made by Mayor V.V.Rajan Chellappa after unfurling the national flag in the presence of Corporation Commissioner R.Nanthagopal and senior officials during the 67th Independence Day celebrations here on Thursday.
The Mayor said funding for the project was expected to come in from the Tourism Department.
“Encroachments on the site have been removed and preliminary works will commence soon,” he said in an informal chat with reporters.
According to the Corporation Commissioner, the proposed Madurai Convention Centre will be on the lines of the Chennai Trade Centre.
“Even though we have Tamukkam Grounds to host big events, there is no air-conditioned auditorium there. The proposed convention centre will have A/C halls and adequate parking space,” Mr.Nanthagopal said.
Construction of the compound wall at the site was likely to begin this month, he added.
Dog vaccination
The Mayor said the proposed mass anti-rabies vaccination drive targeting stray and domestic dogs would be carried out in all the 100 wards from September 1 to 15, under the supervision of experts from the London-based World Veterinary Service. Mr. Chellappa also said a special scheme called ‘Azhagiya Madurai Managara Thittam’, focused on providing basic amenities and sanitation, would run through the year.
Later, students of various Corporation schools performed cultural programmes depicting the freedom struggle.Top performers in public examinations were felicitated.
Deputy Mayor R.Gopalakrishnan, Chief Town Planning Officer M.Rakkappan, City Engineer (in-charge) A.Mathuram participated.
