New Secretariat to come up at Pattinapakkam, plan sparks debate over location
The Tamil Nadu government has earmarked 25.55 acres at Foreshore Estate in Pattinapakkam, Chennai, for a proposed government complex that will house the Legislative Assembly and Secretariat.
According to a government order sent to the Public (Buildings) Department, the project is planned with modern infrastructure and facilities. The proposed administrative complex would also be located close to Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s residence.
The location, however, has drawn criticism from PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss, who has urged the government to reconsider the project.
Anbumani argued that Pattinapakkam is already a heavily congested part of the city. He pointed to the traffic load around Santhome High Road and Greenways Road, along with the presence of Santhome Church, prominent schools and the Inspector General of Registration office.
He said adding a major government complex to the area could put further pressure on roads and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Anbumani also questioned whether a site of roughly 26 acres would be adequate for a project expected to serve Tamil Nadu for decades. He said land would have to be allocated for green spaces, parking, fire and emergency services, public transport facilities and other mandatory requirements.
Instead of developing the Secretariat within Chennai, he proposed creating a large administrative township on 500 to 1,000 acres outside the city.
According to his proposal, the new administrative hub could bring together the Secretariat, Assembly, government department headquarters and residential facilities for the Chief Minister, ministers and senior officials. Metro connectivity, schools, colleges, sports facilities, helipads and commercial infrastructure could also be incorporated into the planned township.
Anbumani said such a greenfield development would provide Tamil Nadu with room for long-term expansion rather than repeating the space limitations faced by existing government infrastructure.