Stalin lays foundation stone for new central prison in Coimbatore

Coimbatore: Chief minister M K Stalin on Monday laid foundation stone for the new central prison building, which would be constructed at Onnipalayam village in Bilichi panchayat near Karamadai at a cost of Rs 211.57 crore, through video conferencing from the chief secretariat in Chennai.

According to the officials, construction of the new central prison would be carried out in two phases. "Phase-I work will begin within two months. The prison could house 2,500 male prisoners. It will come with a hospital; administration block; compound wall; residences for the superintendent of prisons, additional superintendent and jailor; and 111 staff quarters," said one of the officials.

The state govt has allotted 95.70 acres to the Department of Prisons and Correctional Services in Bilichi panchayat to construct the central prison. "A special prison for women will be constructed in phase-II. It could house 500 prisoners," the official said.

The new central prison would be constructed by the Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation, which has already roped in a contractor to carry out the phase-I work.

Coimbatore North revenue divisional officer Govindan, DIG (prisons) Jayabharathi and superintendent of prisons Senthilkumar participated in the foundation stone laying function.

The existing central prison was established in 1872 on 165 acres during the British era. This would now make way for Semmozhi Poonga.