Published Sep 03, 2026 | 1:13 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 03, 2026 | 1:13 PM
CM Vijay speaking in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. (File Photo)
Synopsis: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has announced a new integrated Secretariat and Legislative Assembly complex in Chennai, to be built at an estimated cost of ₹1,200 crore. The 20-lakh-square-foot complex will replace Fort St. George as the administrative hub.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Thursday, September 3, announced plans to construct a new integrated complex housing the Legislative Assembly and the Secretariat on an area of 20 lakh sq. ft in Chennai.
The complex will be established at an estimated cost of Rs 1200 crores with modern infrastructure, including fire-safety facilities, provisions for the easy movement of persons with disabilities and facilities conforming to green building standards. It would bring all government departments together under a single administrative campus and would be equipped with adequate parking facilities, conference halls, public service centres and modern amenities for officials.
Making the announcement under Rule 110 in the Assembly, Vijay said the decision to move the Assembly and the Secretariat out of the historic Fort St. George was necessitated by constraints on further development at the site and the expansion of the State government’s administrative responsibilities.
“It is not possible to expand by undertaking further construction at Fort St. George, which was built in the 17th century…A modern and integrated Secretariat complex will be established so that all departments can function from a single campus,” Vijay said in the Assembly.
The existing Fort St. George complex will be preserved as a heritage site, with its historic buildings protected for future generations, the CM said.
Fort St. George, constructed by the East India Company in 1640, has served as the administrative centre of Tamil Nadu for nearly 400 years.
The fort complex covers about 107 acres, but only around four acres are under the control of the State Government for the use of the Secretariat.
The Secretariat currently functions from two buildings. The main building, which was originally constructed as the Governor’s residence, houses the Legislative Assembly, the chambers of the Chief Minister, Ministers and the Chief Secretary, besides the Finance Department and other important departments. It has a floor area of 2,07,000 square feet.
Earlier also plans have been made by governments to move out of the historic complex. In 2002, then chief minister J Jayalalithaa attempted to establish a 2,000-acre administrative city near Mamallapuram, which included residences for officials. But that proposal was dropped. In 2003, she planned to shift the Secretariat to the Queen Mary’s College campus, which was met with protests by the opposition and had to be dropped.
In 2010, the DMK government led by M Karunanidhi constructed a new Assembly and Secretariat complex at the Omandurar Government Estate on Anna Salai. However, it was shifted back to Fort St. George when Jayalalithaa returned to power in 2011.
Vijay’s plans to build a new Assembly-cum-Secretariat complex have already triggered criticism from the opposition parties.
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Vijay also announced plans to set up a Tamil Nadu Olympic City and a Motor Sports City in Chennai.
The proposed Motor Sports City will be equipped with an international-standard racing circuit, modern infrastructure and training facilities. The facility is planned to host Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula 4 events, while providing training and competitive opportunities for young motorsport talent.
“The talents of youth in motor sports will be identified, and training and racing opportunities will be provided to create national and international-level champions. Establishing world-class motor vehicle car racing arenas will provide opportunities for tourism, special vehicle manufacturing industries, employment, and economic development,” Vijay said.
The Tamil Nadu Olympic City will be established in Chennai through the Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority.
The integrated sports complex will feature: Olympic-standard sporting venues, High Performance Training Centre, sports science and sports medicine centres, accommodation for athletes and coaches and facilities to host national and international competitions.
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
