“This walkers’ paradise is a great boon for us,” says K. Pavithra, a college student, who just finished her morning walk at the newly inaugurated sprawling Gandhi Park in East Tambaram. This park was among the several completed infrastructure works pending inauguration for over six months. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa inaugurated the park, renovated at a cost of Rs. 1.48 crore, on June 8.
“We have been waiting for this park to be opened for our morning walk, adds Vijayalakshmi Kesavan, a resident of Hanumar Koil Street. A senior official from the municipal administration and water supply department says a nine-feet-wide walkers’ path with lighting facilities, planting of ornamental plants and installation of a couple of cascades, were part of the improvement works. Improvement works are going on in a few smaller parks and more such open spaces will be developed, an official adds.
A library building, in the middle of the park, built at a cost of Rs. 26 lakh, has started functioning, and has overwhelming support from the Readers Circle. The earlier library was inaugurated in 1957. “The new facility provides users with more space and a lot of study materials,” says V. Nagarajan, a senior citizen from Kambar Street.
“Dr. Ambedkar Thirumana Mandapam (marriage hall) built at a cost of Rs. 2.24 crore was also inaugurated on Monday. We have fixed a rent of Rs. 40,000 per day with a refundable deposit of Rs. 20,000. Concessions will be given to those availing this facility for half-a-day functions,” says M. Karikalan, Tambaram Municipal Chairman.
