Chennai Transforms Parks into Vibrant Reading Hubs

In a move to encourage reading habits and provide peaceful recreational spaces, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is expanding its successful reading zone initiative to 36 parks across the city. The pilot program, which was launched in North Chennai parks, received an encouraging public response, prompting the civic body to scale up the project.

The new reading zones will be established in 12 parks each in the north, central, and south regions of Chennai. These zones will feature bookshelves, seating arrangements, and shaded areas to create an inviting environment for visitors. The initiative aims to inculcate reading habits among the public, particularly in the slum pockets of North Chennai, where access to books has been limited.

To attract visitors, the reading zones will stock newspapers, magazines, and novels. The corporation has also requested volunteers to donate books for the parks. The expansion of the reading zones is part of the GCC's broader efforts to improve the city's parks and make them more appealing to residents.