Build New Secretariat Outside Chennai, PMK Chief Tells State Government

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss urged the Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday to build a new Secretariat complex outside Chennai instead of inside city limits. He responded to media reports that the government is thinking about building the facility at Pallavan Illam on Anna Salai, shifting away from an earlier plan to build it in Pattinapakkam. He asked the State government to make a clear statement on whether these media reports are true.

Traffic Concerns And Land Size

Dr. Anbumani pointed out that traffic problems around Pallavan Illam would be impossible to fix. He stated that the area ranks among the top three most congested locations in Chennai, and adding a Secretariat on Anna Salai would make managing traffic there virtually impossible. He also compared the land sizes, noting that the Pallavan Illam site covers only 13.22 acres, while the earlier Pattinapakkam site was about 26.36 acres.

Historical Land Use

He recalled that the DMK government led by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi earmarked 39.54 acres in 2007 on the Omandurar Government Estate for a new Secretariat. The older buildings that once housed the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly Secretariat there cover 19.48 acres and now house the Omandurar Multi Super Speciality Hospital and medical colleges.

Context

Secretariat complexes house major government departments and offices, making their location a key factor in urban traffic and public administration. Political parties often debate the best use of public land and state funds for such large construction projects in growing metropolitan areas.