Latest news with #MuthalvarPadaippagam
Time of India
05-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
After success of Kolathur centre, four more study spaces planned in city
Chennai: After the success of Muthalvar Padaippagam) in chief minister M K Stalin's Kolathur constituency, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has decided to build four more such common study centres centres in core city areas. The CMDA has floated tenders for the study spaces, which will feature digital libraries, reading areas, book lending rooms, and workstations. The work bays will feature a minimum of 100 seats, with computers and Wi-Fi, and a maximum of 300+, depending on the location and size of the building. The buildings are expected to be completed in seven months from the date of awarding the tender, said officials. The centres are coming up in Ayanavaram, Pulianthope, Aminjikarai, and Perambur, with each costing from 1.5 crore up to 10 crore. As per the designs, the one proposed at Ayanavaram will have three floors and a 350-seat capacity on the ground, first, and second floors. It also has a parking facility for around 100 bikes and about 30 cars. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai In Perambur, the CMDA also plans to create an open-area study centre, along with a kids' play area, to help mothers, new parents, and researchers who may need to keep their kids occupied while they study. The Perambur centre will also have a landscaped area. The centre at Aminjikarai will have a digital library where six people can sit at once and a lending section for people to borrow books. CMDA minister P K Sekarbabu said the one in Kolathur became a big hit with at least 200 students using it at any point of the day. "Six people who used the facility aced the TNPSC exam. The new ones will help expand the initiative," he said. The centres are busy throughout the day. "From college students to PhD scholars, everyone is coming," he said, adding that they plan to expand the number of computers in the digital library section. "If the centres can also provide free premium access to news portals and study websites, it would further help researchers," said K Sanjana, 39, who uses the centre in Kolathur. Officials said they will look at adding premium subscriptions.
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority to set up 5 more Mudhalvar Padaippagams
Five public libraries are to be redesigned as Muthalvar Padaippagam (CM Spaces) under a ₹6.93-crore project by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA). These spaces are designed to serve as co-working environments, which encourage both concentration and relaxation for the public. According to the CMDA, every space is expected to have air-conditioned reading spaces along with free high-speed internet workstations and separate sound-buffered zones, designed specifically for competitive exam preparation. The most ambitious project among the five is a ₹1.92 crore facility in Cheriyan Nagar, which is expected to feature cutting-edge study pods and specialised shelving systems designed for optimal book preservation and reader access, according to CMDA. Raise awareness and build opportunities N. Sakthivel from Vysai Thozhargal said, 'Such initiatives are non-existent in north Chennai. So, the initiative is greatly welcomed. College students in this area often lack career guidance. Many are hesitant to take proactive steps because they do not understand the processes needed to achieve their goals. Additionally, many come from backgrounds that do not support their aspirations.' Archanaa Seker, a Chennai-based activist and researcher, said such initiatives offering quality facilities in working-class neighbourhoods, would enable users to benefit significantly from a multi-use working and learning space. The CM Space in Kolathur has been well received by the local public, and is always buzzing as the slots are almost always full, she said. 'However, to boost entrepreneurship, there needs to be additional support and programmes that build capacity, skill sets, and enables networks to be formed — especially to encourage women to use the space. What happens in the space for those who come there, and how to bring more people in, especially women, is as important as creating the space itself,' Ms. Seker added.
