CM inaugurates infra, IT projects for Madurai

Madurai: Chief minister M K Stalin inaugurated several infrastructure and IT projects in Madurai, Dindigul and Sivaganga districts worth more than 1,500 crore, during his visit to Madurai on Saturday.The major project inaugurated by the CM was the combined drinking water scheme to address the drinking water needs of 867 rural habitations across seven unions in Madurai district, as well as providing two MLD of water to Sipcot complex in Dindigul. The project was initially sanctioned in 2022 with a budget of 1,536.31 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Work began on the project in 2023.Water for the CWSS is sourced from an intake well on the Vaigai river near Andipatti and pumped to a dedicated water treatment plant (WTP). The CWSS scheme provides water to around 10 lakh residents in areas like Alanganallur, Chellampatti, Kallikudi, Thirumangalam, Thiruparankundram, Usilampatti and Vadipatti.The CM also inaugurated the expansion of Pinnacle Infotech's engineering development centre, built at a cost of 150 crore, at Madurai ELCOT IT Park in Madurai. The expansion project created an additional 2,000 direct employment opportunities, according to the announcement.HCL also signed an MoU for an expansion project at Madurai ELCOT IT Park, with a new investment of 150 crore, creating 1,000 new job opportunities. The initiative is aimed to create high-quality technology employment opportunities for youth from southern districts.During the event, the chief minister laid the foundation stone for the Pinnacle employee housing project to be built on 14.3 acres. The project will create accommodation facilities for approximately 1,200 employees within the IT Park.The CM also inaugurated Ankuran Science Center, a modern science centre jointly established by Pinnacle company and Madurai corporation in Madurai. Established with the aim of encouraging students' scientific interest and fostering innovative thinking, the centre will undertake the task of bridging the gap between theories and practical applications. Spread across 12,000sqft, the centre has advanced laboratories for physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, robotics and programming.Additionally, at Meenakshi govt Women's Arts College in Madurai, the HP Computer Skill Development Center was established for 50 lakh, aimed at enhancing digital literacy and employability skills among students and bridging the gap between education and industry needs.He also inaugurated a newly constructed building for the Vadipatti town panchayat at a cost of 1.67 crore.A statue in honour of the Maruthu brothers, which was installed in Sivaganga district at a cost of 1.07 crore, was also inaugurated by the chief minister.