Coimbatore: As much as 75 per cent of the infrastructure-related works taken up for the ensuing World Classical Tamil Conference will be completed by April end and the rest by May first week, Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said here on Thursday.

He told reporters that 40 floats would form part of the mega procession to be taken out through a 9 km stretch of Avanashi Road. Different sessions of the conference will be held in 30 halls.

The conference will be inaugurated by President of India Prathiba Patil and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi would witness the procession from a special stage and there would be four more stages for other important and overseas delegates.

Mr.Stalin inspected some of the ongoing works and had a review meeting with officials.

He was accompanied by Rural Industries and Animal Husbandry Minister Pongalur N Palanisamy, Chief Secretary K.S. Sripathi, Special Officer for Tamil Conference K. Allaudin, Mayor R. Venkatachalam, District Collector P. Umanath, Corporation Commissioner Anshul Mishra, Commissioner of Police C. Sylendra Babu, Inspector-General of Police - West Zone P. Sivanandi and Airport Director M.R. Vasudeva.

Mr.Stalin first inspected a model bus shelter on Huzur Road and offered suggestions to make it more passenger-friendly in terms of roof and seating pattern.

He then inspected the front arch works at VOC Park from where the procession of floats would start and then saw the modern model mobile toilet planned by the civic body.

He reviewed the progress of works at CODISSIA and then took a trip down the Vilankurichi Road being formed/ re-laid and strengthened for providing connectivity between Avanashi Road and Sathyamangalam Road.

Mr.Stalin said that underground cable laying works by TNEB on Avanashi Road, Tiruchi Road and Kamarajar Road would be completed by April.

Coimbatore Corporation was speeding up the works relating to installation of 425 street lights on major roads besides 19 high mast lamps.

Modern bus shelters were being established by the Corporation across the city.

Mr.Stalin also appreciated land owners who had come forward to donate their land for Nava India link road connecting Avanashi Road with 100 Feet Road.

Similarly, orders had been issued for two more scheme/ link roads between Tiruchi Road and Avanashi Road near Ranga Vilas Mill and for the Masakkalipalayam Road.

Roads

All these roads would come up at Rs 13.25 crore and would be completed by June.

Mr.Stalin also said that officials of the Railways and Airport Authority of India had agreed to speed up the improvements to Railway Station and Airport.

Besides, the first phase of botanical garden work, planned at Rs. 20 crore in over 47 acres in the Central Prison area, would begin soon.

Asked whether additional funds and human resource would be required, he said the Chief Minister would decide depending on the requirement.

Prior to the conference, the Chief Minister would visit Coimbatore to take stock of the progress in the works.

Mr.Stalin pointed out to the Highways officials that of the 72 road works, only seven had been completed.

He directed them that 43 works should be completed in April and the rest in May.

He also said that Tiruchi road works should be completed in April so that TNEB could take up its works in May and complete the same before conference.

Foundation stone would be laid for the Rs. 50 crore Mettuppalayam Road widening and strengthening on April 3.

The battered stretch of Neelambur – Chengampalli- Avanashi Road (NH 47) should be repaired immediately since Rs. 6 crore had been sanctioned by the National Highways Authority of India.

Avanashi Road – CODISSIA approach road would be made a 60-ft road at a cost of Rs. 1.8 crore.

Steps were being taken to procure private land near the Railway Junction for creating a second entry/ exit point.

Six temporary bus stands would be created for parking vehicles of visitors coming from other districts.

Courtesy - Hindu