Kamarajar Grand Library project work gathers pace in Tiruchi

The construction of the Kamarajar Grand Library and Intellectual Centre at Mannarpuram in Tiruchi has gathered pace, with officials expecting to commission the project well ahead of the deadline.

Built at a cost of ₹290 crore, the library includes ₹50 crore earmarked for e-books and ₹5 crore for equipment. It is envisioned as an integrated library, knowledge hub, and intellectual resource centre to benefit students, researchers, and the general public.

Construction of the project, which is being executed by the Public Works Department, began in April 2025 and was originally scheduled for completion by September 2026. With the work progressing at a faster pace, the officials said, the project is likely to be completed by February 2026.

Nearly 70% of the civil work has been completed and the progress is being monitored regularly, a senior official said.

Spread over an area of 1.97 lakh sq. ft., the project comprises a ground plus seven floors. The ground floor will house a waiting hall and a 1,000-seat auditorium. A science centre, children’s theatre and children’s library will be located on the first floor, while the second floor will feature a research centre and a multi-purpose centre.

The remaining floors will accommodate a wide range of facilities, including a robotics and games area, digital library, English library, auditorium, knowledge centre, artificial intelligence research centre, digital studio, conference hall, and a video conferencing room.

The library will feature Tamil and English literary archives, rare manuscripts, and dedicated sections for persons with disabilities, as well as training and mentorship programmes for candidates preparing for competitive examinations.

The fully air-conditioned building will have escalators, nine elevators, including two glass lifts, and parking spaces to accommodate 100 four-wheelers and 150 two-wheelers.