Two Mudhalvar Padaippagams and new study centre to come up in Coimbatore city

Coimbatore to establish Mudhalvar Padaippagam centres for co-working and learning, addressing overcrowding in current study spaces.

The State government has initiated a move to establish two Mudhalvar Padaippagam centres, co-working and learning spaces, in Coimbatore city. The Coimbatore Corporation has identified two plots of land for this purpose.

The city currently has a library-cum-study centre on Addis Street, which is free for all but faces overcrowding. The facility is used by UPSC aspirants and other individuals preparing for competitive examinations such as bank exams, JEE, and TNPSC.

“The capacity is about 180, but the number of people who come here is around 250 and even crosses 300 at times. There are over 4,000 books solely on subjects related to competitive exams, and 16 computers. So far, around 14 students who studied here have cleared the TNPSC Group 4 exam. The results of others are awaited,” said the centre in-charge, Stephen J.

“Resource materials are up-to-date and helpful for exam preparation. As for the timings, the centre opens at 9.30 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m., but this is not sufficient. We would like it to be extended by at least an hour. For students who prepare on their own, this space is very helpful,” said R. Keerthana, a UPSC aspirant.

Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said, “The State government has initiated the move to construct two Mudhalvar Padaippagam centres in the city. Lands have been identified—one at Kavundampalayam and another in the North Zone. The proposed centres will have a learning space on the ground floor and co-working spaces on the first and second floors. DPR works are under way and will be submitted within a week. Once the Thanthai Periyar Library construction is completed in Gandhipuram, there will be no overcrowding in any study centre.”

The Corporation has also planned to construct another library-cum-study centre at Ward 86, at an estimated cost of ₹3.5 crore.