Minister for Local Administration K.N. Nehru visiting Porunai Archaeological Museum in Tirunelveli on Friday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will inaugurate on December 20 Porunai Archaeological Museum, which has been established on an outlay of ₹56.57 crore on 13 acres near Reddiyarpatti hillock on the outskirts of Palayamkottai to showcase the artefacts excavated from ancient Tamil civilization sites of Aditchanallur, Sivakalai and Korkai.
Speaking to reporters in Tirunelveli on Friday after inspecting the final phase of the works at the museum, Minister for Local Administration K.N. Nehru said the museum covered 54,000 square feet to showcase he artefacts.
Mr. Stalin would also inaugurate additional buildings at Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital, built at a cost of ₹200 crore.
When asked whether the Chief Minister would also inaugurate the drinking water scheme being implemented to benefit 831 villages in Radhapuram and Nanguneri Assembly segments, Mr. Nehru replied that the work would take another three weeks for completion.
“If we can complete the work before December 20, the Chief Minister will inaugurate this project too,” Mr. Nehru said.
On the roads of Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai lying badly damaged, especially due to the ongoing underground drainage works, the Minister said these damaged roads could be relaid only after the completion of underground drainage work. Considering the safety of the motorists until the relaying work was started, the damaged portions would be repaired with wet-mix macadam that provided strong and stable base course in road construction.
Mr. Nehru, while responding to a question on protecting Tamirabharani River from pollution, said the existing 50 million litres a day sewage treatment plant here would be expanded further even as a comprehensive plan for saving the river was under preparation.
When asked about the preparations put in place in Chennai to face the impact of upcoming cyclone and consequent downpour, Mr. Nehru said around 150 tractor-mounted motors had been kept ready for pumping out stagnant rainwater from low-lying areas and subways. Several storm-water drains, including Virugambakkam and Retteri Channels, had been desilted before the monsoon.
“Rainwater will drain within four-five hours even if Chennai receives 20 cm rainfall,” he said.
When asked about the breach in Thediyoor check dam bund, District Collector R. Sukumar said a team of experts had camped at the site to plug the breach.
Corporation Commissioner Monika Rana, Mayor G. Ramakrishnan and MLAs M. Abdul Wahab (Palayamkottai) and E. Raja (Sankarankovil) accompanied the Minister during the inspection.
Published – November 28, 2025 08:03 pm IST
