Vandiyur tank beautification almost complete

Madurai: The 50 crore Vandiyur tank beautification project, which was announced in 2023, reached the final stages of completion and is ready to be inaugurated during chief minister M K Stalin's visit to Madurai on Feb 21."Originally slated for completion in Jan last year, the construction was halted for a few months due to administrative delays, and progress was slow in 2025," said a senior corporation official. "But now work is 99% complete, and the project is ready for inauguration," he said, adding that only a few dustbins needed to be placed in the proper locations, and some general clean-up work needed to be done as well. "The beautification project is being done to provide the residents of the city with a space within the city to rejuvenate and relax. Many modern facilities for washrooms and drinking water were added, along with accessibility features to make the park accessible to everyone," the official said. As part of the project, a food court, children's park, as well as a walking path were added around the tank. According to the official, the highlight of the project is the jetty for boating around the tank. "We expect that once the project was inaugurated and opened to the public, many residents and tourists will be able to make use of this feature," he said, adding that the floating jetty is made of a reinforced air-filled structure that allows it to float on the water while providing stability, as well as not harming the tank. "Madurai city is rapidly growing and becoming busier and busier. The Vandiyur tank beautification project is an attempt to preserve the natural beauty of earth and provide a space for the people to take in the fresh air and wind down," the official added.