Construction of the Kalaignar International Convention Centre at Muttukadu has accelerated, with work on the superstructure now underway, according to officials from the Public Works Department (PWD), the agency implementing the project.The Rs 5.25 billion initiative, one of Tamil Nadu’s flagship infrastructure projects, is designed to establish Chennai as a premier destination for large-scale conferences, exhibitions, and global events. Spread across 37.99 acres, the centre will feature world-class facilities capable of hosting multiple high-capacity gatherings.With the casting yard of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) recently relocated from the site, construction activities have gathered pace. Officials confirmed that fabrication of the roof truss has been completed and that around 20 per cent of the total work has been executed so far.Chief Minister M.K. Stalin laid the foundation stone for the project in May this year, and the venue is scheduled for completion within 18 months.Nearly 700 workers are currently engaged in building the facility, which will include a 91,924 sq. ft exhibition hall capable of accommodating 10,000 people, a 5,000-seat convention hall, and a 1,500-seat auditorium with banquet halls, all distributed across two floors.The complex will offer parking for 1,706 cars and 1,700 two-wheelers, along with accessible facilities for persons with disabilities. Additional amenities will include a cafeteria, dining area, medical centre, disaster management room, and green landscaped zones.As part of its sustainability features, the PWD plans to install a solar power facility, construct a sewage treatment plant with a capacity of 800 kilolitres per day, and develop extensive greenery and landscaping.Officials noted that Chennai currently has limited venues suitable for hosting large events, often leading to traffic congestion in core city areas. The upcoming convention centre on East Coast Road is expected to ease these challenges, providing a spacious, state-of-the-art venue located outside the city’s dense urban zones.The project will also include the construction of an ornamental entrance arch and sthapathi works, reflecting traditional Tamil architecture. Once completed, the Kalaignar International Convention Centre is expected to significantly enhance Tamil Nadu’s profile as a global event and business destination.