Tamil Nadu Plans Rs 1,200-Crore Integrated Secretariat and Assembly Complex

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has announced a Rs 1,200-crore project to build a new Legislative Assembly-cum-Secretariat complex in Chennai. The proposed 20-lakh-square-foot facility is envisioned as a modern, integrated campus where all government departments can operate from a single location.

Announcing the plan in the Assembly, Vijay explained that expanding the existing administrative hub at Fort St George is not feasible. The 17th-century fort, a heritage structure with large portions under Defence control, offers limited room for new construction. He stressed that the historically significant site will be preserved without altering its character.

The new complex is planned to include modern infrastructure, adequate parking, and conference facilities for officials, visitors, and the public. While the exact location was not disclosed, government sources indicate that Pattinapakkam, Nandambakkam, Guindy, and Koyambedu are under consideration.

This is not the first attempt to relocate the seat of government. A 2003 proposal to move the Secretariat to Queen Mary's College was shelved after protests. In 2010, a new complex at the Omandurar Government Estate briefly housed the Assembly, but the administration returned to Fort St George the following year, and the Omandurar site was later converted into a hospital.

The announcement has drawn criticism from the opposition, including AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, who questioned the expenditure amid the state's financial constraints. Defending the proposal, TVK leader Americai Narayanan said the government cannot compromise on the state's future despite the financial difficulty.