The Tamil Nadu government has granted in-principle approval for a new integrated Assembly and Secretariat complex at Foreshore Estate in Chennai, marking a major proposed change to the state’s administrative infrastructure.
The proposed complex is planned on approximately 25.55 acres of land in the Mylapore–Pattinapakkam area. The government order says the facility will have around 20 lakh square feet of built-up area and is intended to provide modern facilities for both the Legislative Assembly and the Secretariat.
The project has been associated with an estimated cost of around ₹1,200 crore. The Public Works Department (PWD) has been directed to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR), including cost estimates, within three months. Three committees have also been formed to oversee the selection of an architectural consultancy and the preparation and approval of the building designs.
The identified land includes parcels belonging to the Tamil Nadu Housing Board, Greater Chennai Corporation and the Revenue Department. Earlier reports indicated that the proposed main building could be a 15-storey structure with approximately 20 lakh square feet of built-up space.
The proposal has also triggered opposition from fishing communities and some political parties. Fisherfolk organisations have raised concerns about the project’s possible impact on traditional livelihoods, traffic and the coastal environment. Representatives of fishing communities have warned of protests if the government proceeds without addressing their concerns.
The coastal location is another major point of discussion. The proposed site is close to the Bay of Bengal and the Adyar estuary, while the surrounding area includes several fishing settlements. Critics have therefore called for detailed consideration of environmental, traffic and community-related issues before construction begins.
The government’s approval is currently an in-principle decision, meaning that detailed planning and project preparation still have to be completed. The PWD’s DPR, architectural planning and necessary permissions will determine the next stages of the project.
If implemented, the new complex would become one of Tamil Nadu’s major government infrastructure projects and could significantly reshape the administrative landscape of southern Chennai.
News as Reported.
