CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu govt on Monday granted in-principle approval for constructing a new assembly and secretariat complex at Foreshore Estate and directed the public works department (PWD) to submit a detailed project report, along with cost estimates, within three months.An order issued by the public department said the proposed complex would come up on 25.55 acres and have a built-up area of approximately 20 lakh sq ft. The facility will be equipped with modern amenities and will house both the legislative assembly and the secretariat. “The govt directs the public works department to submit the detailed project report along with the estimates within three months and to constitute the committees,” the order said.The govt has also directed the PWD to constitute three committees. The first will invite expressions of interest and select an architectural consultancy firm. The second will finalise the preliminary building drawings and designs, while the third will approve the final drawings and designs.After obtaining the necessary enter-upon permissions from agencies, including the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) and the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), on Saturday, the govt approved the construction of the new complex. The order was issued on Monday with the concurrence of the finance department, four days after chief minister C Joseph Vijay announced the decision to relocate the Secretariat from Fort St George.The proposed site comprises land parcels owned by the TNHB, the GCC and the revenue department. TNHB has granted enter-upon permission to the public department for land measuring 21.37 acres, 0.39 acres and 1.13 acres in Survey Nos. 4593/1, 4593/29, 4593/33, 4592 and 7588/2. The GCC has issued a no-objection certificate for using 0.93 acres in Survey No. 4593/2. Another 1.73 acres is from the revenue department in Survey Nos. 4592/1, 4592/85 and 4593/2.The M Karunanidhi-led DMK govt constructed the assembly and secretariat complex at Omandurar Govt Estate within two years of commencing work in 2008. The Vijay-led TVK govt is expected to begin construction early next year, with the proposed complex coming up opposite the chief minister’s residence at Foreshore Estate.
