PMK Opposes Move To Set Up New Secretariat in Pallavan Illam
He pointed out that Anna Salai already ranks among Chennai’s worst traffic bottlenecks, and building a massive administrative hub there would make vehicular congestion unmanageable
Chennai: Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Dr Anbumani Ramadoss has opposed reported plans by the Tamil Nadu government to construct a new Secretariat at Pallavan Illam site on Anna Salai. He warned the administration against "repeating its mistakes" and called for an integrated administrative complex outside Chennai.
Reacting to reports that the government has dropped its earlier Pattinapakkam proposal in favor of the 13.22-acre Pallavan Illam plot, Anbumani termed the move ill-advised. He pointed out that Anna Salai already ranks among Chennai’s worst traffic bottlenecks, and building a massive administrative hub there would make vehicular congestion unmanageable.
Anbumani emphasized that 13.22 acres is grossly inadequate compared to the 26.36 acres at Pattinapakkam or the 39.54 acres earlier allotted at Omandurar Estate. Situated along the Cooum River and hemmed in on all four sides by busy arterial roads, a war cemetery, and a temple, the site presents serious flood risks and completely prevents future expansion.
Reaffirming the state's 25-year-old need for a modern Secretariat, Anbumani urged the government to abandon congested city pockets. Instead, he demanded the development of a 500-to-1,000-acre administrative city on Chennai's outskirts to serve Tamil Nadu for the next century.