17-05-2025
Built at 1.5 crore in 2019, Amma Thirumana Mandapam in Coimbatore is yet to benefit public
Coimbatore: The
Amma Thirumana Mandapam
, constructed at a cost of Rs1.50 crore at Achipatti near
Pollachi
in 2019, remains unopened for public use and is poorly maintained. As a result, residents are forced to rent private marriage halls at a higher cost.
The hall was built with funds from the Pollachi MP Local Area Development Scheme to benefit economically weaker and middle-class families. However, following the demolition of the old Pollachi South block development office building, the office was temporarily relocated to the marriage hall in 2021.
After the new block development office building was completed, the south union office was moved there, leaving the marriage hall neglected.
The building has since been overgrown with bushes, while remaining unused for more than a year.
K Balamurugan, a resident of Pollachi, said the building's current state was the result of a tussle between the rural development department and the Pollachi municipality. "Not a single wedding has been conducted there so far. The purpose for which the hall was constructed has been defeated," he said, urging the municipality to clean, maintain and bring the hall into use for
public welfare
.
When contacted, municipality commissioner M Ganesan said while the land (1.25 acres) on which the hall was constructed belonged to the municipality, the same was under the jurisdiction of Achipatti panchayat. "Permission for the construction was obtained from the municipality by then MP, but the building was not officially handed over to us after construction. In the meantime, the block development office functioned there temporarily.
Later, a compound wall was constructed around the hall using Rs25 lakh from the rural development department without the municipality's approval," he said.
After the block development office was shifted to its new premises, the rural development department demanded Rs25 lakh from the municipality in return for handing over the hall, he said.
"We took up the matter with the previous district collector, who ordered that the building be handed over to the municipality after an inquiry. Following that, we estimated that it would cost around Rs30 lakh to renovate the building, including replacing tiles, repairing toilets and carrying out painting work. We are now in the process of inviting tenders and will issue the work order soon. The renovation is expected to be completed within three months, after which the hall will be opened for public use," he said.
