Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay inaugurated the Periyar Arivulagam and Science Centre, a massive Rs 300-crore knowledge and research facility located in Coimbatore. Named in honor of the renowned social reformer EV Ramasamy, known as Periyar, the eight-storey complex spans seven acres and offers extensive infrastructure dedicated to education, scientific learning, and research.
Hours before the official opening ceremony, DMK president and former Chief Minister MK Stalin took to social media to claim credit for the initiative, sharing a video stating that the project was the brainchild of his Dravidian model administration. Stalin noted that he had laid the foundation stone for the complex on November 6, 2024, and that the Public Works Department handled the initial construction and development phases before the change in government.
Ahead of the event, Chief Minister Vijay traveled from Chennai on a special flight and conducted a roadshow along an 11.4-kilometer route from Coimbatore International Airport to Dr Nanjappa Road in Gandhipuram. Large crowds of supporters and local residents lined the thoroughfares to welcome him, while security arrangements involved more than 3,500 police personnel deployed across the city for his first official visit to Coimbatore since taking office in May.
Upon arriving at the campus, Vijay unveiled a large statue of Periyar before officially opening the facility. He toured the science centre, planetarium, and digital library, and spent time interacting with students from local corporation schools.
The newly opened centre houses over 1.25 lakh physical books, a children's library, dedicated reading areas, and interactive science installations. It is also equipped with modern computer networks, extensive digital archives, and specialized study areas with resources for students preparing for competitive exams conducted by the TNPSC and UPSC. Additionally, the complex features a modern auditorium built to host academic seminars, cultural programs, and intellectual debates.