TN CM Vijay Announces Rs 1,200-Crore New Secretariat Complex in Chennai

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced in Chennai on Thursday that the state government will build a new Assembly-cum-Secretariat integrated complex at an estimated cost of Rs 1,200 crore. The planned move marks the administration's decision to relocate out of the historic Fort St George campus. Making the announcement under Rule 110 in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said the modern complex will span a built-up area of 20 lakh square feet and consolidate all state government departments under a single roof.

Addressing the Assembly amidst table-thumping by the Treasury, Vijay explained that the relocation is necessary because the administration faces severe space constraints and historical preservation limits at Fort St George. He noted that the state government controls only around 4 acres of the 107-acre Fort St George campus, while the remaining land is under the jurisdiction of the Defence Ministry and the Archaeological Survey of India.

According to the Chief Minister, the expansion of government departments, staff strength, and administrative duties over the past 40 years has resulted in significant overcrowding within the ageing premises. He stated that consolidating all state administrative machinery into an integrated, accessible, and eco-friendly facility is essential to provide efficient governance for the next century, while ensuring the existing heritage structures at Fort St George are preserved for future generations.

The proposed Rs 1,200-crore complex will be constructed according to green building standards. It will feature advanced fire safety systems, accessibility measures for persons with disabilities, ample parking space, conference halls, public service centres, and updated work facilities designed to enhance the working environment for state government employees.

While the Chief Minister detailed the scale and specifications of the project, he did not specify the exact location where the complex will be constructed within Chennai. Alongside the administrative complex, Vijay announced two other major developmental initiatives under Rule 110, including the establishment of a Tamil Nadu Olympic City and a Motor Sports City in Chennai.

The announcement revives long-standing efforts by successive governments to relocate the state administration. The DMK government led by M Karunanidhi between 2006 and 2011 had previously shifted the Secretariat and Assembly to the Omandurar Government Estate, where legislative sessions were briefly conducted. That building was subsequently converted into a multi-speciality hospital by the AIADMK administration led by J Jayalalithaa, which shifted operations back to Fort St George.