Identification of land for 'Amma Unavagams' begins

Coimbatore Mayor S.M. Velusamy along with Corporation Commissioner G. Latha studying the preparations to be made for setting up Amma Unavagam at Maniakarampalayam in the city on Wednesday. Photo: S. Siva Saravanan

The Coimbatore Corporation on Wednesday took the first step towards establishing ‘Amma Unavagam’ with officials inspecting the sites selected.

Led by Mayor S.M. Velusamy and Commissioner G. Latha, the officials, including Deputy Commissioner S. Sivarasu and City Engineer in-charge K. Sugumar, from health and engineering wings inspected the selected sites at Flower Market, Podanur Bus Terminus, Singanallur Bus Stand and Maniakaram palayam. Sources said that the officials first went to Flower Market, where they identified a place at the newly constructed market for establishing the canteen, aimed at providing breakfast (idli) and two varieties of packed rice for lunch for workers and those from the economically weaker sections.

The officials then went to Podanur and Puliakulam . At Podanur the officials selected a Corporation premises near the Podanur Bus Terminus. The sources said that though the building was strong, the Corporation would have to make structural alternations to accommodate kitchen and dining area.

Likewise, the officials after visiting the Corporation’s wedding hall in Puliakulam decided against using it as a kitchen, given the area available, the sources said and added that at present the idea was to have five kitchens right at the canteen premises.

The officials finally visited the Integrated Child Development Centre in Maniakarampalayam that was in disuse. They decided to structurally alter the place to accommodate kitchen and dining area.

The sources said that the Corporation would have to shell out close to Rs. 30 lakh for refurbishing and altering the buildings chosen. And the civic body also had to identify a place for the canteen in the Central Zone. The four places identified on Wednesday were in North, West, South and East zones.

Based on Wednesday’s inspection, the Corporation would have to send a letter to the State Government, which would issued a Government order in this regard.

The Corporation, the sources said, was most likely to procure the groceries from the Co-operative Department’s Chinthamani showroom and others from the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation.

It was also likely to involve members of the self-help groups in cooking and distribution.