Chennai, June 10 (NationPress) In a pivotal move aimed at nurturing a reading culture and enhancing access to knowledge, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin officially opened a 5,000-square-foot 'Book Park' located at the Chennai Central Metro Station on Tuesday.

This innovative literary space, designed within one of the city’s most frequented transit points, combines the joy of reading with relaxation, featuring thousands of books, a cafe, and a mini event space.

Developed at an investment of Rs 1.85 crore, the Book Park is a partnership project between the Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation (TNTBESC) under the School Education Department and Chennai Metro Rail Limited, operating on a revenue-sharing basis.

With over 5,000 books available in Tamil, English, and several other languages, the collection encompasses a wide range of genres, including literature, politics, science, law, agriculture, history, and poetry. It also includes school textbooks, translated literature, and children’s books.

To encourage reading, a 10 percent discount is offered on all book purchases.

The park will be open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will provide complimentary Wi-Fi to ensure a conducive reading atmosphere.

In addition to this, CM Stalin inaugurated a number of major library infrastructure initiatives across Tamil Nadu, which includes 110 new public library buildings across various districts, developed at a total cost of Rs 24.20 crore. These libraries are stocked with books valued at Rs 2.20 crore and equipped with computers and digital devices worth Rs 60 lakh. Furthermore, furniture worth Rs 1.59 crore has been procured to enhance user experience.

To broaden global access to state-published literature, the Chief Minister launched a dedicated e-commerce platform - www.tntextbooksonline.com - enabling readers worldwide to purchase Tamil Nadu government publications.

Additional highlights of the day included the inauguration of a new library building at Paramakudi, constructed at a cost of Rs 70 lakh, and the establishment of 70 special libraries in high-traffic public locations such as hospitals, district collectorates, and bus stands, developed at a total cost of Rs 29.80 crore. Officials highlighted this multi-faceted initiative as a landmark effort in the state's ongoing mission to enhance the accessibility of books and knowledge, bridging urban-rural divides and fostering inclusive learning environments.