Udhayanidhi Stalin to inaugurate lounge for construction workers, village knowledge centre in Tirupattur

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin will inaugurate a slew of completed works, including an exclusive lounge for construction workers, a village knowledge centre, and an integrated seva centre for persons with disabilities in Tirupattur district during his visit on Saturday.

Officials of the Labour Department, which will maintain the lounge, said that at present, most of the construction workers often take shelter under trees and in spaces beneath bridges before they are assigned work by trade unions in the district. “The new ₹34.29 lakh lounge is equipped with ramps that are friendly for persons with disabilities. It will provide a safe waiting hall for workers, especially women before they proceed to work. The new facility will be open between 6 a.m and 10 a.m every day except on Sundays,” S. Gnanavel, Assistant Commissioner, Department of Labour (Tirupattur), told The Hindu.

Labour officials said that the prefabricated container lounge is aimed at providing comfort to workers and facilitating their enrolment in welfare schemes. It has been set up at the taluk office in Tirupattur, one km from Pudupalayam Main Road where the workers wait for work.

Spread over 350 sq.ft, the all-weather shelter is fitted with fans, benches, mobile phone charging units, and drinking water facilities. It can accommodate at least 15 persons at a time. The new facility would help streamline the hiring process and improve safety, as workers earlier stood on carriageways while waiting for work, exposing themselves to the risk of accidents.

Labour officials said that more than 1.18 lakh construction workers across the district are registered with Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board of the department. Trade unions can also use the facility. .

On Friday, Vellore Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi inaugurated a ₹37.50 lakh lounge for workers at the old bus terminus opposite to the fort complex in Vellore. During his visit, Mr. Udhayanidhi will open a ₹1.27 crore Village Knowledge Centre (VKC) at Keel Mittalam village near Tirupattur town. The centre will be maintained by Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation.

The new centre will provide skill training, digital literacy, and community-based learning for local residents, especially Adi Dravidar youth in villages as part of career development. It can accommodate at least 40 persons at a time.

Tirupattur Collector K. Sivasoundaravalli has declared that the district will be a no-fly zone on March 14 during the visit of Mr. Udhayanidhi.