Tamil Nadu Plans New Assembly-Secretariat Complex at Foreshore Estate in Chennai

Tamil Nadu is likely to develop a new Assembly-Secretariat complex at Foreshore Estate in Chennai, with the proposed project expected to bring the state’s key administrative functions together in a modern facility.

The project is being planned on around 25.16 acres of land and is estimated to cost approximately ₹1,200 crore. The proposed complex is expected to include a 15-storey main building with around 20 lakh sq ft of built-up area.

The Foreshore Estate site has emerged as the preferred location after the state government considered three possible sites for the new complex. The other locations shortlisted earlier were the Highways Research Station in Guindy and a site opposite Fintech City in Nandambakkam.

The availability of a relatively large and contiguous land parcel at Foreshore Estate appears to have strengthened its case. The proposed development could eventually extend to around 26.5 acres, including additional land under the Revenue Department.

Government land to form the core of the project

A significant portion of the proposed site comes from land controlled by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB). The board has granted permission for the Public Department to use around 21.37 acres in Mylapore for the proposed development.

The land, accessed from Santhome Main Road, covers three survey numbers and was originally acquired in 1958 for housing projects. Over the years, the site accommodated government employees’ quarters and TNHB housing.

A total of 1,380 quarters had eventually been built on the site. Of these, 1,284 became dilapidated and were demolished, leaving a substantial portion of the land vacant. TNHB has also initiated steps to demolish the remaining 96 quarters.

Another 0.93 acre has been made available by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC). The parcel, covered under Survey No. 4593/2, is classified for road use.

New administrative hub for Chennai

The proposed Assembly-Secretariat complex is expected to provide modern administrative infrastructure while bringing the Legislative Assembly and government offices into an integrated campus.

The state government is expected to issue an order shortly granting in-principle administrative sanction for the project. However, the final project timeline and construction schedule have not yet been specified.

The proposed development also marks another major shift in the long-running debate over the location and infrastructure requirements of Tamil Nadu’s administrative headquarters. With Foreshore Estate now emerging as the preferred site, the next key step will be the government’s formal administrative approval and subsequent project planning.