Gandhi Mandapam, one of the city's significant landmarks, will soon get spruced up at a cost of Rs.11.61 crore.
Public Works Minister K.V. Ramalingam made an announcement regarding this at the Assembly on Friday. The work to beautify Gandhi Mandapam complex on Sardar Patel Road will begin soon. According to sources in the Public Works Department, estimates for the project are under preparation. Besides landscaping, repairing stormwater drains and creating small ponds, the department also plans repair works in the ten memorials located inside the complex.
The complex has memorials for former chief ministers, Rajaji, Bhaktavatsalam and Kamaraj built in various years since 1956.
A memorial for dalit leader Rettamalai Srinivasan was constructed in 2007. Some improvements works were also carried out four years ago.
The department is now providing a facelift to the memorial of former Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran on the Marina beach at a cost of Rs.7.70 crore. The works include improving the arch at the entrance and the compound wall. Similarly, Arignar Anna memorial, which was constructed on Marina in memory of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, is also being renovated.
The work is being carried out at a cost of Rs.1.20 crore.
Presenting the policy note, Mr. Ramalingam also described the government's initiatives to restore heritage buildings.
An expert committee formed to review the status of such buildings had recently submitted a report on Khalas Mahal, Chepauk, he said. The tenders for converting the building at Omandurar Government Estate into a Rs.26.92 crore multi-super-speciality hospital are being scrutinised, he added.
