Tamil Nadu CM promises Rs 10 crore for new hostel for Presidency college

CHENNAI: Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday pledged Rs 10 crore for the construction of a new

hostel

block within the premises of the

Victoria Hostel of the Presidency College

in Triplicane.

He made the announcement when addressing the function to commemorate the institute’s 175th founding year.

“When I was invited by the principal of this college to participate in the function, he asked me to help with construction of new block in the 117-year-old

Victoria Hostel

premises. I have ordered for construction of a building worth Rs 10 crore. Construction work will start this year and will be completed at the earliest. A few other requests placed by the principal and the college management is being scrutinised by the state government,” Palaniswami said.

The college management attracted criticism recently after the shabby maintenance of Victoria Hostel was brought to light, when a disabled student injured himself. The hostel walls and ceilings have are dilapidated due to negligence and years of non-maintenance. Students suffer without basic amenities in their rooms.

On Tuesday, Palaniswami also placed the foundation stone for the construction of a commemorative arch in the college premises, to mark its 175th anniversary. The construction of the arch will cost Rs 40 lakh.

During his speech, Palaniswami urged students of the college to make good use of the opportunity presented to them. Naming famous alumni of the college, including Nobel laureates such as C V Raman and S Chandrasekhar, Palaniswami told the students that they were afforded the best of education that the state has to offer. “People like me, who hail from villages, are in the place we are right now because of our hard work,” he added.