Vijay's new secretariat unnecessary: Plea in HC challenges Rs 1,200-crore plan

The petition alleges the proposed Rs 1,200-crore Tamil Nadu Secretariat project is an unnecessary burden on taxpayers and could restrict public access while harming fishermen's livelihoods, housing interests and the coastal environment.

In Short

• Petitioner cites financial burden, public access issues and environmental concerns
• Fishermen warn mass protests, fearing loss of livelihood and restricted sea access
• Political parties demand project withdrawal, citing ecological and social impacts

A petition has been filed before the Madras High Court seeking a stay on the proposed construction of Tamil Nadu's new Secretariat complex at Pattinapakkam in Chennai, with the petitioner arguing that the project would impose a Rs 1,200-crore burden on the state exchequer and could affect public access, fishermen's livelihoods and the coastal environment.

The Joseph Vijay-led government has proposed constructing the new Secretariat at an estimated cost of Rs 1,200 crore, with the Chief Minister recently announcing the project in the Legislative Assembly. The state government issued a Government Order (GO) regarding the project last week.

The proposed Secretariat is to come up on land belonging to the Tamil Nadu Housing Board at Pattinapakkam. The petition refers to 21.37 acres of land for the project, while the broader proposal has also been described as covering around 26 acres.

A Chennai-based advocate, RS Tamilvendhan, has approached the High Court challenging the Tamil Nadu government's decision, and the petition is expected to come up for hearing shortly.

In his petition, Tamilvendhan has questioned the need to spend Rs 1,200 crore on a new Secretariat when the existing Secretariat complex at Fort St George could instead be renovated and continued to be used.

The petitioner has pointed to the government's stated financial constraints and argued that undertaking such a large expenditure in these circumstances would amount to an avoidable burden on the public exchequer.

According to the petition, the existing Secretariat could be renovated rather than replaced, thereby avoiding what the petitioner described as the wastage of taxpayers' money.

The petitioner has also raised concerns over public accessibility. He has argued that the present Secretariat at Fort St George is located close to several key public facilities, including Chennai Central Railway Station, the Madras High Court, the bus terminus and the Government General Hospital.

Shifting the Secretariat to Pattinapakkam, he contended, could make it more difficult for members of the public to access government offices.

The petition further raises concerns about the possible impact of the project on housing schemes intended for economically weaker sections and on the livelihood and welfare of fishermen living in the area.

Tamilvendhan has also claimed that construction of the proposed complex could have an adverse impact on marine life.

The petitioner said he had submitted representations on September 12 to the Chief Secretary, the Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department and the Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board.

Through the representations, he sought the withdrawal of the proposal to construct the new Secretariat at Pattinapakkam.

According to the petition, no action has been taken on those representations so far.

The petitioner has therefore sought directions from the High Court to the state government to drop the proposal. He has also sought an interim stay on all construction-related activities at the proposed site until the case is finally decided.

FISHERMEN'S GROUPS OPPOSE PROJECT

The proposed Secretariat project has already triggered opposition from fishing communities in Pattinapakkam and surrounding areas.

Fisherfolk from 12 hamlets have warned of mass protests if the project proceeds at the proposed location. Residents of Pattinapakkam and the Marina Loop Road area have said the land is closely linked to their livelihoods and traditional way of life.

According to residents, more than 1,500 fishing families use the land for activities including anchoring boats, repairing and drying fishing nets, drying fish and operating daily markets.

A local community representative said residents had legal documents and ancestral rights relating to the land.

Fisherfolk have also expressed concern that construction could restrict their access to the sea. They said the establishment of a major administrative complex could eventually result in their presence being treated as a nuisance and could lead to pressure for relocation to distant areas such as Kannagi Nagar.

Residents have also claimed that parts of the land were originally earmarked for fishermen who were relocated in 1958, but said those commitments were never fulfilled.

Fishing community representatives have accused elected representatives of failing to adequately address their concerns, despite previous hunger strikes and demonstrations. CITU representatives from the affected villages have also been holding joint strategy meetings to plan opposition to the project.

Fishing leaders have warned of large-scale protests unless the government withdraws the order selecting Pattinapakkam as the site.

POLITICAL OPPOSITION WIDENS

The proposed location has also drawn criticism from several political parties. CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam, an ally of the ruling TVK, has accused the government of rushing through the Government Order for the new Secretariat.

He said the construction of a new Secretariat and Assembly complex should not be undertaken in haste and urged the government to listen to the concerns of fishermen's villages surrounding the proposed site.

CPI state secretary M Veerapandian has also demanded that the project be withdrawn immediately. He has raised concerns about the ecological sensitivity of the location, describing it as a fragile nesting ground for Olive Ridley turtles and an area vulnerable to sea surges, cyclones and flooding.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief Manickam Tagore said a new Secretariat was necessary but said the proposed location should be studied carefully to ensure the least possible displacement and harm to residents.

VCK leader and state Social Justice Minister Vanni Arasu also said the project required consensus and should proceed only after the concerns of fishing communities had been taken into account.

AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran criticised the government over what he described as a failure to undertake mandatory public consultation. He said the decision was rushed and threatened the coastal heritage of the area.

The DMK, AIADMK and BJP have also questioned the need to spend such a large amount on a new complex when the existing Secretariat at Fort St George could continue to be used.

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