Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami laid the foundation stone for 39 projects worth Rs 1,328.95 crore during the MGR centenary celebration function in the city on Sunday.

Water from the Pillur Dam will be brought to residences under the third drinking water project at the cost of Rs 750 crore.

Siruvani Dam will be renovated to increase its capacity level after getting due permission from the Kerala Government. Other projects include raising the VOC Zoo in the city to international standards with a budget of Rs 20 crore. Developmental works of Coimbatore Medical College Hospital will carried out at a cost of Rs 8.41crore.

He said the new flyover at Gandhipuram will be named after former Chief Minister MG Ramachandran. As part of reducing traffic congestion in the city, 12 flyovers and five rail over bridges will be constructed, besides a by-pass between Mettupalayam and Annur. Anaimalai town panchayat will be made a separate taluk.

A special committee will be set up for the Anaimaliyar-Nallar scheme in the district. Expansion works to raise the standard of Coimbatore International Airport will be taken up the government. Steps to develop small and medium scale industries would be initiated soon, he added.

The Chief Minister inaugurated 37 building constructed with a budget of Rs 691.51 crore and distributed amounts totaling Rs 118.83 crore to 36,000 beneficiaries in the district at the centenary function.