Tambaram residents doubt library project will be realized

Residents in Tambaram are anxious about a proposed 3-crore high-tech library aimed at college students. This plan intends to provide better academic resources in the area, which is currently lacking. However, there is no detailed project report prepared yet, causing doubts among the community. Corporation commissioner S Balachander stated that discussions about the library have been ongoing in council meetings. He assured residents that they are working on detailed project reports for infrastructure improvements next year. The library is envisioned to include digital resources, high-speed internet, and study areas. It will also offer academic books and journals, especially for students preparing for competitive exams. For students like Madhav Babu Prasad, having a library nearby would be a welcome change. Currently, he travels over 12 kilometers to a library in Kotturpuram, which consumes much of his time. He expressed frustration over the long commute, noting that it detracts from his study efforts. Previous attempts to enhance study facilities in Tambaram, such as the opening of two study centers in 2023, have faced challenges. Pankajam, who oversees one of these centers, reported issues like staff shortages and delays in operations. These problems made it difficult to provide proper resources to students. Resident welfare associations (RWAs) have raised concerns about maintaining the new library in the long term. Members suggest a community-led maintenance approach to avoid the situation where the library becomes underused. One member, V Lakshmi, emphasized the need for transparency from the authorities regarding the sustainability of the project, stating that residents are willing to contribute to its upkeep.