T.N. Government Should Build New Secretariat Outside Chennai
PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has urged the Tamil Nadu government to build the proposed new Secretariat complex outside Chennai instead of constructing it within the city. He said the government should reconsider its plans and follow the proposal previously suggested by his party to establish the Secretariat in a location away from the busy city centre.
Anbumani raised concerns over recent reports that the State government is considering building the new Secretariat on the land currently occupied by Pallavan Illam on Anna Salai. The government had earlier considered a site at Pattinapakkam for the project. He has asked the government to clarify whether it has decided to move the project to Pallavan Illam and explain the reasons behind any change in plans.
According to Anbumani, there are several reasons why Pallavan Illam may not be a suitable location for such an important government building. He argued that the traffic problems in the area could become much worse if the Secretariat is constructed there. Anna Salai is already one of Chennai’s busy roads, and the daily movement of government employees, visitors and official vehicles could place additional pressure on the existing road network.
He warned that managing traffic around the proposed site could become a major challenge. A new Secretariat would attract a large number of people every day, including government officials, members of the public and visitors from different parts of Tamil Nadu. This could lead to longer travel times and increased congestion in nearby areas unless suitable infrastructure is developed.
Anbumani also pointed out the difference in the size of the two proposed sites. The Pallavan Illam property covers around 13.22 acres, while the land at Pattinapakkam measures approximately 26.36 acres. The Pattinapakkam site is therefore nearly twice the size of the Pallavan Illam property.
He suggested that the larger site could provide more space for the Secretariat building and the facilities required for its daily operations. A government complex of this size may need adequate parking areas, access roads and other supporting infrastructure. Choosing a suitable location from the beginning could help avoid future problems, he argued.
Previous plans for a new Secretariat
Anbumani also referred to an earlier decision taken during the DMK government led by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. In 2007, around 39.54 acres were allocated at Omandurar Government Estate for the construction of a new Secretariat complex.
However, the land is now being used for healthcare and medical education facilities. Buildings occupying approximately 19.48 acres of the allocated area currently house a hospital and medical colleges. This has changed how the site is being used compared with the original plan.
The reference to the Omandurar Government Estate highlights the long history of discussions about finding a suitable location for Tamil Nadu’s Secretariat. The issue has remained important because the location of the State’s main administrative headquarters can affect traffic, public access and the delivery of government services.
PMK calls for clarity on the government’s plans
Anbumani has urged the State government to explain its current position before moving forward with the project. He believes that building the Secretariat outside Chennai’s crowded areas would help reduce pressure on the city’s roads and provide more room for future development.
The choice of location is an important decision because the Secretariat serves as the main centre for government administration. It must be accessible to officials and members of the public while also having enough space to operate efficiently.
The government’s final decision on the proposed site will determine how the project moves forward. For now, Anbumani’s comments have brought renewed attention to the debate over whether Pallavan Illam, Pattinapakkam or a location outside Chennai would be the most suitable choice for the new Secretariat complex.