CM Vijay Inaugurates Periyar Knowledge Centre in Coimbatore, Holds Roadshow

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Friday inaugurated the Periyar Arivulagam and Science Centre in Coimbatore and held a roadshow that drew large crowds of supporters and residents.

Vijay arrived in Coimbatore from Chennai by a special flight and travelled around 11.4 km from the international airport to the venue in Gandhipuram along Avinashi Road. Large numbers of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) workers and residents gathered along the route to welcome him.

At the centre on Dr Nanjappa Road, the chief minister unveiled a statue of social reformer E V Ramasamy, popularly known as Periyar, and formally inaugurated the facility. He toured the science centre, digital library and planetarium and interacted with students from local corporation schools.

The eight-storey facility, spread across seven acres, was built at an estimated cost of Rs 300 crore to promote education, scientific learning and research.

It houses more than 1.25 lakh physical books, a digital library, a children's library, reading areas, digital archives and e-book resources. The centre also has specialised study facilities for candidates preparing for competitive examinations, including those conducted by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission and the Union Public Service Commission.

The project was conceptualised and initiated under the previous DMK government, with former chief minister M K Stalin laying its foundation stone in November 2024. The Public Works Department undertook the construction.

More than 3,500 police personnel were deployed across Coimbatore for Vijay's visit, with barricades and traffic restrictions along key routes.

Vijay's scheduled helicopter trip to Thrissur in neighbouring Kerala to attend a Navaratri event was cancelled due to heavy rain and unfavourable weather conditions in Coimbatore. He was expected to return to Chennai after remaining in the city.