[Image Credit: ABP Nadu]
In a move that has stirred widespread controversy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin virtually inaugurated an allegedly incomplete urban primary health center in Mayiladuthurai, raising eyebrows and triggering questions about political urgency ahead of the upcoming elections.
On 3 July 2025, CM Stalin, from Chennai, officially launched several public infrastructure projects under the Health and Family Welfare Department via video conference. Among them was an urban primary health center near Rajan Thottam in Mayiladuthurai district a facility still under construction at the time of inauguration.
மாண்புமிகு தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் அவர்கள் மக்கள் நல்வாழ்வுத்துறையின் சார்பில் புதிதாக 208 நகர்ப்புற நலவாழ்வு மையங்கள் மற்றும் 50 ஆரம்ப சுகாதார நிலையங்களை திறந்து வைத்து சிறப்பித்தார்… @mkstalin #Masubramanian #TNHealthminister #Primaryhealthcentre #DMK4TN pic.twitter.com/qA9CWw4OXT
— Subramanian.Ma (@Subramanian_ma) July 3, 2025
The health center, spread over 5,544 square meters and built at an estimated cost of ₹1.2 crore, includes a ground and first floor with facilities such as a maternity ward, delivery room, outpatient area, pharmacy, lab, X-ray, and scan rooms.
However, local reports revealed that essential civil works including flooring, electrical wiring, plumbing, and stair finishing were still pending. Construction materials like tiles and stones lay scattered across the site during the inauguration.
Old banners were reportedly used to block unfinished windows, and mats were placed over incomplete staircases to give the appearance of readiness. This drew sharp reactions from the public, with concerns about safety and suitability for patient care in such a state.
பணிகள் நிறைவு பெறாத நகர்ப்புற சுகாதார நிலையத்தை காணொளி காட்சி மூலம் திறந்த தமிழக முதல்வர் மு.க.ஸ்டாலின் – பொதுமக்கள் அதிர்ச்சிhttps://t.co/wupaoCzH82 | #mayiladuthurai #tamilnadu #tamilnews #TNGovt #MKStalin #ABPNadu pic.twitter.com/i9y6qLbxYd
— ABP Nadu (@abpnadu) July 3, 2025
Residents Question the Urgency & Safety
In response, the residents questioned the haste behind inaugurating a clearly unfinished health center. “Why risk public safety just to hold a ceremony? What’s the urgency?” asked several locals, voicing frustration and concern.
Typically, buildings constructed by the Public Works Department are handed over only after full completion and inspection. This protocol, they say, was not followed. The incident has prompted speculation, “Was the Chief Minister misled about the project’s status? Or was the inauguration deliberately rushed with elections around the corner?”
Despite the controversy, the event went ahead, with Mayiladuthurai District Collector H.S. Srikanth, MLA S. Rajakumar, and other key officials including Municipal Council Chairman Selvaraj and Deputy Director of Public Health Dr. Ajith Prabhu Kumar participating in the lighting of the ceremonial lamp to mark the opening.
(With Inputs From ABP Nadu)
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
