Abandon Pattinapakkam Assembly-cum-Secretariat complex project, insists a PIL plea before Madras High Court

The Tamil Nadu government's plan to build a new Legislative Assembly-cum-Secretariat complex at Pattinapakkam in Chennai faces a potential setback, as a public interest litigation (PIL) petition has been filed before the Madras High Court. The PIL, filed by Chennai-based advocate R.S. Tamilvendan, seeks a direction from the court to abandon the project due to various reasons.

The petitioner expressed shock at news reports indicating that the state government had given its in-principle approval for the construction of the Assembly-cum-Secretariat complex on a 25.55-acre land owned by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board. The land was originally intended for constructing low-cost flats for the people. Tamilvendan argued that the present Assembly-cum-Secretariat located at Fort St. George, near the Puatchi Thalaivar M.G.

Ramachandran Central Railway Station, the Madras High Court buildings, and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, was the most suitable location due to its proximity to essential public facilities.

He pointed out that both the Legislative Assembly and the Secretariat have been functioning at Fort St. George for decades. Although the DMK government built a new complex on Anna Salai between 2006 and 2011, it was later converted into a government hospital by the subsequent AIADMK government. The petitioner contended that renovating the existing buildings at Fort St. George would be a more cost-effective solution, especially considering the current financial crisis faced by the government.

The PIL also highlighted the concern for the interests of fishermen residing in and around Pattinapakkam. The petitioner informed the court that if the proposal to build the complex at Pattinapakkam were approved, it could result in heavy traffic congestion in the locality. He had also made a representation to the government authorities on September 12, 2026, regarding the matter, which was acknowledged. The petitioner urged the court to stay the construction until the PIL petition was disposed of.