Chennai: The 185-year-old Presidency College will soon get its first proper canteen, a 78 lakh project by public works department (PWD). The canteen, designed to match the college’s aesthetic, is almost complete.
Presidency College, located on Kamarajar Salai was started in 1840 and is the first govt education institution of south India. More than 5,000 students study here in both the morning and evening batches. However, there was no proper canteen on college campus.
Deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin announced the construction of the new canteen building on the campus during the convocation held on July 5, 2022. “The students told Udhayanidhi Stalin they needed a canteen, and he agreed to get it done. Now, work is being carried out under the Perunthalaivar Kamaraj Financial Assistance Scheme,” said R Raman, principal, Presidency College.
The PWD technical education wing has constructed the canteen building spread across around 2,000sqft in a colonial style. “It is being built using brick and stone and will resemble the heritage college buildings. Double charged vitrified tiles and Rajasthan kotta stone flooring are proposed for the premises,” said a PWD official.
Raman said that the canteen will be open from 8.25am to 6pm and will sell snacks, lunch and beverages. “The elevation will be like a heritage building. It will have trees around the canteen, students can sit outside, enjoy the breeze and the snacks. We started the work six months ago, and it will be ready in a fortnight,” said an official.
Students are also happy about the canteen. “The two-wheeler and four-wheeler parking lot was used as a canteen till date. Now we will have a proper canteen like private colleges,” said Deepesh, a student.