Archive · 10 Sep 2026
PMK Chief Challenges Pattinapakkam Site for New Secretariat
Tamil Nadu is considering building a new Secretariat and Legislative Assembly complex in Pattinapakkam.
The project is reported to cost Rs 1,200 crore.
It would be built on a 26.36-acre site in Chennai.
PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss says the site is too small.
He also says the area already has serious traffic problems.
He worries that more government buildings could make those problems worse.
Ramadoss wants the government to build an administrative city on 500 to 1,000 acres outside Chennai instead.
He says it could include government offices, housing, transport, schools, and other facilities for many years.
PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss urged Tamil Nadu to abandon plans for a new Secretariat at Pattinapakkam.
The proposed complex is reported to cost Rs 1,200 crore and cover 20 lakh square feet.
The reported site is a 26.36-acre parcel near Santhome High Road, Greenways Road, schools, and Santhome Church.
Ramadoss warned that the project could worsen traffic and face space limitations for parking, services, and public transport.
He proposed a 500- to 1,000-acre integrated administrative city outside Chennai for long-term government needs.
- Who
- PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss and the Tamil Nadu government, led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
- What
- Ramadoss opposed a proposed new Secretariat and Legislative Assembly complex at Pattinapakkam and called for a larger administrative city outside Chennai.
- When
- The demand was made on Wednesday; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- The proposed complex would be located at Pattinapakkam in Chennai, while Ramadoss proposed a site outside Chennai.
- Why
- Ramadoss said Pattinapakkam would worsen congestion and lack sufficient space for the complex's long-term infrastructure needs.
Opposition to Pattinapakkam
Case for the Proposed Secretariat
Location and congestion
Opposition to Pattinapakkam
Anbumani Ramadoss says Pattinapakkam is unsuitable because Santhome High Road and Greenways Road are already heavily strained, and a large complex could worsen traffic.
Case for the Proposed Secretariat
The Tamil Nadu government has announced the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly project for the reported Pattinapakkam site, but the article does not provide the government's detailed response to the traffic concerns.
Long-term capacity
Opposition to Pattinapakkam
Ramadoss says the 26.36-acre plot would be inadequate after accounting for mandatory floor-space requirements, green areas, fire stations, emergency medical units, parking, and public transport links.
Case for the Proposed Secretariat
The proposed complex is associated with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's stated vision of meeting the state's needs for the next 100 years, although the article gives no further details on how the site would meet that goal.
Alternative development model
Opposition to Pattinapakkam
Ramadoss proposes a self-contained administrative city on 500 to 1,000 acres outside Chennai, with offices, housing, transport, and public amenities.
Case for the Proposed Secretariat
The reported government plan is to develop a new Secretariat and Legislative Assembly complex at Pattinapakkam rather than the larger township proposed by Ramadoss.
- Proposed project
- New Secretariat and Legislative Assembly complex
- Reported cost
- Rs 1,200 crore
- Reported floor area
- 20 lakh square feet
- Reported site size
- 26.36 acres at Pattinapakkam
- Alternative proposal
- A 500- to 1,000-acre integrated administrative city outside Chennai
- Suggested facilities
- Government offices, residences, Metro connectivity, helipads, schools, colleges, sports arenas, and commercial complexes
- Main concern
- Traffic congestion and inadequate space for future infrastructure