- Chennai: At least six of the 10 Muthalvar Padaippagams—study centres aimed at providing quiet spaces, reference books, and a focused environment for students— remain empty or locked in the city.
The chief minister recently inaugurated eight study centres across the city, bringing the total up to 10. The centre in Korukkupet has been closed for civic works, while six other centres are open, but empty because GCC has not listed them on its website. “We can only enter these centres after booking a slot online,” said Suganya Udhayakumar, a college student. “GCC has listed only four centres on its webpage. So, no one can book a slot in other centres. Why inaugurate these centres when they aren’t ready,” she asked.The study centre on Mayor Basudev Street at Korukkupet in north Chennai, inaugurated under the Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam, is closed as work is yet to be completed. Muthalvar Padaippagam director Helen Anitha said the interiors are yet to be completed. “It will open later this week,” she said.Students, preparing for exams such as UPSC, TNPSC, and chartered accountancy, from nearby areas including Washermenpet, Royapuram, and Tondiarpet are disappointed. While the ground-floor library of the Korukkupet centre is open for regular use, the first-floor study hall remains shut. “Within a 5-10 km radius, there is no study centre. We travel to those in Perambur and Kolathur, but slots are full most of the time. We visit libraries far away,” said P Manikandan, a TNPSC aspirant from Tondiarpet. “Opening this centre will ease our commute and give us more study time,” he added.