New Secretariat in Chennai will worsen traffic, raise flood risk: PMK chief Anbumani

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has opposed the Tamil Nadu government's reported plan to build a new Secretariat at Pallavan Illam on Anna Salai in Chennai, warning that the proposed site would worsen traffic congestion and increase flood risks due to its proximity to the Cooum River.In a statement on Tuesday, Anbumani described the move as misguided, pointing out that Pallavan Illam, which houses the headquarters of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) and State Express Transport Corporation (SETC), is located in an already congested area.He also raised concerns over the limited size of the site, which spans 13.22 acres, compared with the 26.26 acres at Pattinapakkam and 39.54 acres at the Omandurar Government Estate, both of which had been considered for the project.FLOOD RISK, SPACE CONSTRAINTSAnbumani warned that constructing a 20-lakh-square-foot Secretariat along the Cooum River could pose environmental and flood-related risks. He also noted that the site is hemmed in by major roads, the river and religious structures, leaving little scope for future expansion. While supporting the need for a new Secretariat to meet the state's long-term administrative requirements, the PMK chief urged the government to reconsider the proposed location.He called for an integrated administrative city spread across 500 to 1,000 acres on the outskirts of Chennai, arguing that such a project would provide room for future expansion and support sustainable development over the next century. - Ends