The announcement of setting up of a science park (STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) at Anna Park in Tirunagar by Madurai Corporation has been welcomed by residents.

The park, which was sanctioned under Operation and Maintenance Grant 2024-25, would be constructed in Tirunagar at an estimated cost of ₹2.70 crore with Tamil Nadu government’s contribution of ₹1.50 ₹ crore and the rest from the urban local body (Madurai Corporation). ), said chief engineer P. Ruban Suresh Ponnaiah. The tender is expected to be finalized within a week and the successful bidder is expected to complete the park in six months. The bidder would also be responsible for its maintenance for one year.

Corporation Mayor Indrani Pon Vasanth said the science park would be the first in Madurai city. She thanked Chief Minister MK Stalin for funding the park. Not only the student community but also the general public would benefit from the science park, she added.

The corporation’s west zone president V. Suveetha said that by establishing such a park in Tirunagar, it would give a boost to the region. She hopes that the Corporation will also allocate funds to build quality roads leading to Anna Park.

Congress councilor Swetha Satyan said the science park located in additional ward of the society like Tirunagar would give much-needed attention of officials to maintain cleanliness of adjacent wards.

The government has sanctioned the establishment of 25 parks in the state, while many cities like Tiruchi, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Coimbatore have science parks. Madurai has now received funds for this, she added.

Ms Swetha said she had worked with the technocrats and other team members for over three months since the planning stage and was excited to see the park open soon. She hoped that the exhibitions, the biodiversity garden, the outdoor laboratories and others would be the focal point of everyone.

As a ward councilor, she appealed to Commissioner Dinesh Kumar and the mayor to improve Anna Park here with more greenery and to establish a gateway as Tirunagar was one of the oldest residential colonies in Madurai.

Residents welcoming the new infrastructure coming to their neighborhood said that with more schoolchildren coming here when the park opens, a police outpost and CCTV cameras would be ideal from the point of view safety and security.

Municipal authorities assured that Tirunagar (ward 94) was chosen as other places were either cramped or narrow and Anna Park, which is spread over four acres, could accommodate a larger audience.