CHENNAI: The upcoming ornamental fish trade centre in Kolathur will feature a two-storey building adorned with cylindrical aquariums, vibrant colored fish, and numerous other amenities.
Chief minister M K Stalin laid the foundation for the project and five others under the North Chennai Development Scheme of CMDA, valued at 115.58 crore. He also inaugurated completed projects worth 5.22 crore in other departments.
“The ornamental fish trade centre will be set up on 3.93 acres in Siva Sakthi Colony for 53.5 crore. The complex will have 188 shops, including 70 on the first floor, 54 on the second, including a canteen, among others. There will be office space and parking for two-wheelers and four-wheelers. “This will turn into a commercial centre for ornamental fish trade in Kolathur,” said an official of the CMDA.
At a ceremony held at Siva Sakthi Colony in Villivakkam, Stalin laid the foundation for six new projects, including the fish trade centre, a community hall, a modern laundry hub and development projects for lakes at Puzhal, Retteri and Kolathur. He then inaugurated completed projects, including a civil supplies assistant commissioner’s office and a taluk office at Kolathur, a laundry hub and three fair price shops in Aynavaram.
The CMDA will be establishing a community hall in North Chennai spread over 0.67 acres and a modern laundry at Purasaiwalkam spread over 1.04 acres. The Puzhal lake, spread over 8.17 acres, will be taken up for development, including a high-level walkway, natural viewing area, children’s play area, natural pond, drinking water and modern sewage facilities, at an estimated cost of 16.96 crore.
Apart from this, Retteri lake and Kolathur lake would be developed too. These will get a walking track, a natural viewing area, a children’s play area, facilities for parking and drinking water, an artificial waterfall, a garden and illuminated fish tanks among others.
According to CMDA officials, certain areas in Chennai, particularly north Chennai, lack basic infrastructure and facilities. To ensure balanced development in the city, the govt rolled out the North Chennai Development Scheme, to be implemented over the next three years at a cost of 1,000 crore. Some of the key projects planned under the scheme include establishment of model schools, housing in resettlement areas, skill development centres, new bus terminals and enhancement of employment opportunities.
On March 14, Stalin launched 219 projects worth 4,378 crore under the North Chennai Development Scheme, aimed at ensuring comprehensive development in the region.
