Coimbatore, Oct 16:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Friday inaugurated the Periyar Arivulagam, a state-of-the-art library and knowledge centre built at a cost of ₹300 crore in Gandhipuram, Coimbatore.
Spread across 1.98 lakh square feet, the facility houses more than one lakh books and includes a science centre, children’s library and digital library.
Vijay arrived in Coimbatore from Chennai by a special flight and travelled about 11.4 km along Avinashi Road in a roadshow to reach the venue. Thousands of people gathered along the route to welcome him, showering flowers and raising slogans.
Vijay acknowledged the crowds by waving to them as his vehicle passed through the city. More than 2,000 police personnel were deployed along the route as part of the security arrangements.
At the complex, the Chief Minister unveiled the statue of social reformer Periyar and the commemorative plaque before formally inaugurating the library by cutting a ribbon. He later visited the reception area, science centre, children’s library, reading sections and digital library.
The knowledge centre has been constructed on approximately seven acres of land belonging to the Prison Department near the Coimbatore town bus stand on Nanjappa Road. The project was initiated in November 2024, with the Tamil Nadu Public Works Department undertaking the construction.
It is designed to provide students, researchers and the general public with access to books, scientific learning and digital resources.
The facility also features a dedicated library for persons with disabilities, an auditorium with seating for 350 people, a planetarium and a space-lift experience. Separate sections have been provided for Tamil, English and history books, along with research reading rooms and an incubation centre for start-ups. These facilities are intended to promote learning, scientific awareness and research among people of different age groups.
The inauguration was part of the Chief Minister’s official visit to Coimbatore. The programme also included the inauguration of completed development projects in the district, foundation stones for new projects and the distribution of welfare assistance to 100 beneficiaries.
The opening of Periyar Arivulagam marks the completion of a major public infrastructure project aimed at expanding access to knowledge and educational resources in western Tamil Nadu.
With its combination of conventional library facilities, digital resources and science-based learning spaces, the centre is expected to serve students, researchers and the wider public.