Vijayawada: A state-of-the-art regional library building will be constructed at Kanna Vari Thota in Guntur at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore, with Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Dr Pemmasani Chandrasekhar taking the initiative and CCL chairman Challa Rajendra Prasad extending financial support.
An MoU for the proposed cellar-plus-G+2 building was signed in the presence of Guntur Collector Sai Kanth Varma. The new facility is aimed at modernising the century-old Government Regional Library, established in 1915 during British rule.
Dr Pemmasani said the library had served thousands of students and lakhs of readers for more than 110 years, but the old building had become a concern because of its age. Construction of a new building was the only viable solution, he said.
He said Challa Rajendra Prasad had come forward to support the project. Dr Pemmasani said Mr Rajendra Prasad was among the world’s largest coffee exporters and had introduced around 1,100 coffee brands globally and employed more than 4,600 people.
The designs for the new building had been prepared over the past six months, Dr Pemmasani said, adding that alternative arrangements would be made for students and other library users until construction was completed. The foundation stone would soon be laid by education and IT minister Nara Lokesh, he added.
Guntur MLA Galla Madhavi said August 16 would mark a significant milestone in the history of the regional library system. She thanked Challa Rajendra Prasad for his contribution and Dr Pemmasani for initiating the project.
Rajendra Prasad said that although his native place was Anantapur, his business establishments had been operating in Duggirala for decades. Recalling that his father, retired Chief Justice Challa Kondaiah, had studied in government libraries in Hyderabad, he said it was gratifying to contribute to a similar institution.
Guntur collector Sai Kanth Varma praised Dr Pemmasani’s leadership and said the project demonstrated how development could be accelerated through effective leadership.
District Library Institution chairperson Vandana Devi, former MLA Ravi Venkata Ramana, Jana Sena and Telugu Desam leaders, coalition government representatives and local residents attended.
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