The TVK-led Tamil Nadu government is identifying three sites for the new Assembly and Secretariat complex

The Tamil Nadu government, which has identified three sites for the proposed association and secretariat complex in Chennai, is expected to make and announce its final selection by the middle of this month.

The sites identified by the government are: Highway Research Station (HRS) at Guindy; A residential colony established by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board at Pattinappakkam (Foreshore Estate); and the plot occupied by Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (IDPL) now defunct in Nandambakkam.

Advantages and disadvantages of the three sites

Each site has its pros and cons. For example, the HRS complex, located opposite Lok Bhavan, can be reached via the fairly wide Sardar Patel Road. In fact, this formed part of the area chosen by the Jayalalithaa-era AIADMK regime for its secretariat complex in 2003. Later that year, it laid the foundation stone for the secretariat project, covering about 43 acres and extending from the end of Gandhi Mandapam Road to the HRS on Sardar Patel Road. The proximity of the HRS complex to Anna University, where a large number of students study, is a factor to take into consideration.

Although not on wide roads like those in the case of HRS, Foreshore Estate and Nandambakkam are located in accessible places. It is a matter of time before the Chennai Metro Rail services are opened, covering Nandambakkam as well, while Foreshore Estate is located close to Adyar and Mylapore, two important areas of Chennai. However, Foreshore is located in an important but intimidating part of the city for commuters.

Two of Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s predecessors, Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi, had tried to shift the secretariat from the present Fort St George. While Jayalalithaa’s efforts were futile, Karunanidhi built a new secretariat building in the Ummandurar government area, but Jayalalithaa, on his return to power in 2011, converted it into a multi-specialty hospital.