23 hrs ago
Vijay Plans New Integrated Assembly-Secretariat Complex In Chennai
Tamil Nadu wants to build a new place for its lawmakers and government offices in Chennai.
The project may cost Rs 1,200 crore.
It would cover about 2 million square feet.
The government wants many departments to work together on one modern campus.
Officials say Fort St George is too old and restricted to expand easily.
The fort will still be preserved as an important historic site.
Four possible locations are being studied: Pattinapakkam, Nandambakkam, Guindy and Koyambedu.
Officials are checking issues such as land, transport, watercourses and the environment.
Opposition leaders question the cost, but the government’s supporters say the project is important for Tamil Nadu’s future.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay announced a proposed Rs 1,200-crore Assembly-Secretariat complex in Chennai.
The planned 2-million-square-foot campus would bring government departments together with modern facilities, parking and conference spaces.
Vijay said Fort St George cannot be expanded because of heritage, archaeological and Defence-related restrictions.
Pattinapakkam, Nandambakkam, Guindy and Koyambedu are among four Chennai sites under consideration.
The opposition questioned the expenditure, while TVK leader Americai Narayanan defended it as necessary for the state’s future.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay announced the plan; AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami questioned the spending, while TVK leader Americai Narayanan defended it.
- What
- The government plans to construct an integrated Legislative Assembly-cum-Secretariat complex costing an estimated Rs 1,200 crore.
- Where
- The complex would be built somewhere in Chennai, but no final site has been selected.
- When
- The plan was announced in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday; no calendar date is provided.
- Why
- The government cites severe space constraints and says Fort St George cannot be substantially expanded because of its heritage status, archaeological requirements and Defence control over parts of the site.
Critics Of The Expenditure
Supporters Of The New Complex
Financial justification
Critics Of The Expenditure
Edappadi K Palaniswami questioned whether spending Rs 1,200 crore is justified while the ruling TVK has cited an empty treasury, financial constraints and an inherited debt burden of around Rs 10 lakh crore.
Supporters Of The New Complex
Americai Narayanan said the project would be difficult but argued that the government cannot compromise when considering Tamil Nadu’s future.
Need for relocation
Critics Of The Expenditure
The opposition has questioned the need for a new Assembly and Secretariat complex, especially given the proposed cost and the state’s financial pressures.
Supporters Of The New Complex
The government says a new integrated campus is needed to address cramped offices, inadequate parking, limited visitor amenities and the need to house departments together.
History of government complexes
Critics Of The Expenditure
The previous Omandurar Government Estate complex, built under M Karunanidhi and used in 2010, was abandoned for Assembly and Secretariat operations after Jayalalithaa’s government returned to power in 2011.
Supporters Of The New Complex
The current proposal is presented as a new, modern administrative hub, while Vijay says the move would not abandon Fort St George, which would be preserved as a historic site.
Key facts
- Estimated cost
- Rs 1,200 crore
- Planned size
- 2 million square feet, also described as 20 lakh square feet
- Proposed function
- Integrated Legislative Assembly and Secretariat campus
- Current site
- Fort St George, which houses the Assembly and Secretariat
- Sites under consideration
- Pattinapakkam, Nandambakkam, Guindy and Koyambedu
- Planned facilities
- Modern infrastructure, parking, conference facilities, digital systems and public amenities
- Planning stage
- Officials have conducted preliminary inspections and submitted a report; a detailed project report would follow chief ministerial approval
- Heritage commitment
- Fort St George would be preserved without altering its heritage character
Quotes
Americai Narayanan
TVK leader who defended the proposal
“A modern and integrated Secretariat complex will be established so that all departments can function from a single campus.”
NDTV
“It is not possible to expand by undertaking further construction at Fort St George, which was built in the 17th century.”
NDTV
Sources
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