Vijay govt to back off from Pattinapakkam secretariat plan? What Minister said
Tamil Nadu Minister Aadhav Arjuna on Saturday said the state government has not taken a final decision on building a new Secretariat and Legislative Assembly complex at Pattinapakkam in Chennai, amid growing opposition to the proposed site from fishermen and political parties.
Arjuna said only a Government Order (GO) had been passed so far and that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be prepared to assess the feasibility of the project before Chief Minister Vijay takes a final call.
“We haven't taken any decision on Pattinapakkam Secretariat so far. They are politicising the matter. We have only passed a GO, and after a DPR is prepared, our CM will decide if the Secretariat has to be built or not,” Arjuna said.
Addressing the fishermen community, he assured that their interests would be prioritised.
“Dear fishermen, our CM has not taken any decision so far. It is only being scrutinised to check if people have objections. Immediately, political parties are doing politics out of it,” he said.
Arjuna also cited the government's decision on the proposed Parandhur airport, saying the Chief Minister had rejected offers of financial support for the project.
His comments come amid protests and opposition to the proposed Secretariat site at Pattinapakkam. The Tamil Nadu government has identified 25.55 acres at Foreshore Estate, Pattinapakkam, for a new Secretariat and Legislative Assembly complex with modern facilities. The proposed complex is close to Vijay's residence.
The proposed Rs 1,200-crore project has faced opposition from fishing communities, environmentalists and political parties. Fisherfolk from 12 hamlets have warned of mass protests if the project goes ahead at the proposed site.
Residents of Pattinapakkam and the Marina Loop Road area have said more than 1,500 fishing families use the land to anchor boats, mend nets, dry fish and operate daily markets. They have also raised concerns that construction could block access to the sea and affect their livelihoods and way of life.
The project has also drawn political criticism over traffic, public consultation and the suitability of the site. PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss had opposed the plan, citing traffic congestion around Santhome High Road and Greenways Road and the presence of densely populated localities, schools and Santhome Church. He had suggested developing an integrated administrative city spread across 500 to 1,000 acres outside Chennai instead.CPIM ALSO URGES VIJAY TO WITHDRAW SECRETARIAT PROPOSAL
CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam has also urged the Tamil Nadu government to withdraw the order related to the proposed Secretariat.
Shanmugam said that the Tamil Nadu government should adopt a democratic approach instead of taking decisions on its own, as it does not enjoy the support of the majority of the people. Shanmugam, whose party played a key role in the formation of the Vijay government in the state by extending issue-based external support, reminded Vijay that only 34% of people had voted for him in the election.
He also warned that if the TVK takes major decisions independently without consulting the Left parties, they may reconsider their decision to extend support.
He questioned why the TVK government was not ready to convene an all-party meeting on the issue and said rulers should follow a minimum democratic approach.
The veteran leader also demanded that the Tamil Nadu government recall GO 566 and said the Chief Minister should announce that the new Secretariat would not be built at Pattinapakkam.
Earlier, the leader had also said that the government should listen to the concerns of fishermen's villages surrounding the proposed site and convene an all-party meeting before selecting a suitable location.- EndsPublished By: Akash ChatterjeePublished On: Sep 20, 2026 11:50 IST
