Minister lays foundation for Meyyur convention centre in Tiruvannamalai

Work to construct the ₹4-crore Government Convention Centre at Meyyur village, which comes under the Tiruvannamalai Panchayat Union, commenced on Sunday. Minister for Public Works, Highways, and Minor Ports E.V. Velu laid the foundation for the project, in the presence of Deputy Speaker K. Pitchandi and District Revenue Officer R. Rampradeepan.

Officials of the District Rural Development Agency, which will execute the work, said the new centre would also serve as a space for organising skill training sessions for unemployed educated youth, digital literacy, and community-based learning for locals from at least 12 surrounding villages near Tiruvannamalai Town. The facility can also be used for organising family functions and public events.

“The centre can also be used for holding weddings in the village. The facility will have separate rooms for the bride and groom and a dining hall with power and water connections. The new centre will be ready in six months,” S. Prithivirajan, Block Development Officer (BDO), Tiruvannamalai, told The Hindu.

“The new centre will help poor residents organise family events in a grand manner. It will also help the community conduct public functions and meetings,” said G. Vignesh, a resident.

Funded under a special scheme, the new centre will measure around 1,800 sq.ft. It will comprise an administrative office, a skill training hall, a computer lab, library, training rooms, an instructor’s office, and toilets. An event space capable of accommodating 400 people will be created. Four overhead tanks (OHTs) and a three-phase electricity connection will be provided to ensure the centre functions smoothly.

The centre, on an average, will benefit around 13,000 people from the surrounding villages. It will be used to conduct regular meetings by Self Help Groups to discuss livelihood issues related to marginalised sections of society.