Kalaignar Centenary government boarding, lodging facility in Vellore remains closed due to delay in fixing room rents

More than five months after its inauguration, the ₹45.91 crore Kalaignar Centenary government boarding and lodging facility meant for relatives of patients visiting government hospitals, including Government Multi-speciality Hospital at Perumugai village in Vellore, remains closed due to delay in fixing rental charges for accommodation.

Accompanied by PWD and revenue officials, Collector P.S. Leela Alex inspected the new facility on Chennai – Bengaluru Highway (NH 48) to complete paperworks for functioning of the new facility, which remains unutilized since its inauguration in February 2026 by former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. “Twice, the district administration has given rental rates that could be fixed for rooms in the government facility to the State government. The rates were based on the existing rental rates in the area. We are waiting for a nod on revised rates,” S. Nagarajan, Assistant Engineer (AE), PWD (Vellore), told The Hindu.

At present, tourists and patients from surrounding districts and States pay exorbitant rates for poorly maintained rental rooms in cramped private mansions and motels in Vellore Corporation. “The new government facility will provide better safety for women and senior citizens, who accompany patients. The facility, funded from taxpayers’ money, should be opened without further delay,” said R. Santhosh, a tourist. 

Spread over six acres of land, the three-story complex has 119 rooms with at least 250 beds for visitors. The new facility has 48 rooms with two-bedded accommodation. It has a spacious visitors’ hall, lifts, elevators, adequate washrooms, and drinking water facilities. The entire lighting of the facility is solar powered. Additional facilities like a small park, CCTV cameras, parking area, and bitumen approach roads have been provided.

Corporation officials said that at present, around 250 private lodges operate in town. Most of them are cramped and poorly lit with bare minimum facilities. These accommodations are also available at high rents.

On the contrary, the new government accommodation is easily accessible to the nearest multi-specialty hospitals like CMC and Pentland Government Multispecialty Hospital. The new facility will provide low-cost accomodation for patients from neighbouring districts and States.