The central dome is still incomplete; interior works in some parts are not over
The seven-storeyed building, which briefly housed the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, is one part of the Assembly-Secretariat complex. Called Block A of the complex on the Omandurar Government Estate, the building, measuring 9.3 lakh square feet, consists of four cylindrical structures.
The Block has about 700 rooms, whose size ranges from 600 sq ft to 2,000 sq ft. Many of them have attached washrooms. An exclusive entry and exit has been provided in the case of rooms for Ministers and Secretaries of government departments. Generally, there is enough provision in all the rooms for the entry of natural light. Compact fluorescent lamps have been provided everywhere.
The ground floor has a bigger hall, which accommodated the Assembly Chamber, and a smaller hall, reserved for the Legislative Council. The dome of the Assembly Chamber is still incomplete. A temporary structure was in place when the Assembly was in session last year. Rooms for Governor, Leader of the Opposition, and floor leaders of other parties are located on the ground floor. The sixth floor had rooms for the offices of Chief Minister and Chief Secretary. Interior works in some parts of the building are not over.
At the time of shifting, the Departments of Public, Home, Industries, Public Works, and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj were functioning from the building, apart from the Assembly Secretariat.
One more department could have been accommodated. Seven meetings of the Cabinet were held in this building.
A circular driveway has been provided. No specific provision for parking of vehicles had been made as part of the Block since a separate parking facility was proposed as part of the overall complex project. Outside the Block, at least 100 cars can be parked.
On the fifth floor, a roof garden was created. A fishpond formed part of the Public Plaza, through which the general public was to enter the building.
At the time of suspension of work, approximately Rs. 480 crore had been spent. There is one more block – eight-storeyed and 7.43 lakh-sq ft Block B – which is incomplete. Around Rs. 80 crore was spent on this building. As part of the original plan, the complex would also have a 1,200-seating capacity convention hall, a guesthouse of 50 suites, and a multi-level car parking facility for 700 cars.
The revised cost of the entire project was estimated at Rs. 1,092 crore.
The entry points to the complex had been provided on Anna Salai (formerly Mount Road) on the western side, Wallajah Road on the south, and Sivananda Salai on the north.
Dear Editor, The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly building should be used for the purpose it was built. A purpose-built building cannot be transformed into a 'modern hospital' or museum. A suggestion would be for The Hindu to initiate a public survey to examine whether the people would like to see the building function as the new Assembly building. If there is over-whelmingly response in favour of such a move, perhaps it would coax the present TN Government to take a note of public sentiment. Thanks, Raman Bhasker
Why cant they let it out for hosting corporate meetings until a final decision is made about the fate of this magnificient building. Atleast that will help towards the maintenance costs.
It can be used as govt hospital which will be able to satisfy a huge chennai population.
It can hav a multipurpose use.A hotel with a small museum,library,ball room and many more.
The building was designed and constructed so far to be the Assembly/Secretariat. Using it for other purpose will be a bigger waste of people's money. A library/museum/general hospital needs a different architecture and facilities. using this is for such is not appropriate. IF there are issues then, correct/fix/find/solve them and make it better if you can and ultimately bring it to use and dont waste it by prolonging time so that the buliding gathers dust !
I think this building should be converted into a meeting hall for all occassions and enforce all politcal rally/meetings should happen only within this premises. Govt should collect necessary fees from the meeting organizer. This will ensure no public meetings/rally for political reasons can take place in chennai city streets and help the commuters a bunch. This will also help TNEB to bill the meeting organizers for electricity used during that time and prevent these political parties stealing electricity from utility poles.I believe we have enough museums, it would just great if they maintain properly the existing museums and market them to everyone.
This building , though incomplete can be of multiple use.The big curcular assemnly hall with multiple sections can be actually rented for reasearch laboratories - astronomical , vet. labs or any kinf od research lans - even civil testing labs which India is in need for. Most part of the other incomplete sessions can be taken the views of the IT and other Industrial centers for thier office buildings. Part of it can be converted into meticulous fitness center for the high end fitness training levels such as Cross-fit for military personals. Libraries with automated book rack sections and free wi-fi . well maintained study area. Hope this helps and the building be used in a more creative and energetic way as we cannot see our money wasted.
Sree
After completing the entire structural work Tamil Nadu Govt can have their L.Assembly and Secretariat can occupy. This should provide separate entry exit gates with VIP gate direct entry in to Assembly hall. Convention hall and all other high valued buildings can be given for rent or long lease for IT centers, business centers, hotel,etc thereby govt can earn money for their expenditure from the same complexes Now with the present dead investment no one benefits. No free hospital,charities can go in such costly buildings.All parties should work for this. Not to put their permanent party offices. let every party have their own buildings at different location. let us not create a war zone in this locations. Assembly hall itself is a war zone that is enough. Public movement should not hamper at any cost.
I am neither against DMK nor against AIADMK. People can give a lot of suggestions to make it musemum, hospital, hotel, stadium what not. Will it be worth the money this building has gulped down so far?. Ofcourse no. Having spent tax payers money worth Rs.500 crore, the present govt should use it for Assembly and govt offices with some modifications if required. pls keep away ego & vengence for the sake of the poor people. This is the hard earned money of all poor people u represent now. Think and act now.
I definitely object using this building for some other purpose like hospital than the intended purpose. Using as hospital would definitely require a master change in the plan. Back fitting to that purpose would make the end user to suffer more than use. The building plan was developed to conduct government transactions and other things, hence i propose to use it as Secretariat even, to accommodate all the government offices at one place. There are many government offices run without electric power and toilets. At least these officials enjoy those facilities for time being.
It could house a bunch of concepts. Funded by govt and private
Natural History Museum
Science Museum and Planatoriam
Chennai Tourist/Information Center (we badly need one)
Web Libraray (With e-books and computers with internet access)
Free Wi-fi area in the entire complex
Ombudsperson access
Make it a museum with the history of Tamil Nadu for the past 10000 yrs or so, say from Tiruvalluar to various kings and present with their contribution to the people of the state. No political parties please!
Open a modern University / Research Center ; Or open a modern hospital to take care of the sick alongwith a Research Center. Srinivas, Toronto, Canada.
Can be converted to a college/university....As the work on the car park and guest houses has not yet commenced, the above can be converted to library/sports complex or other dept. buildings inside the university campus..
This entire space can be utilised for leasing I.T.copanies.All I.T.copanies should be centralaised in this eareas'.Govt.will get the revenue what they spent on the project.
The main building can be used as Library,planetarium,auditorium..Guest house and conventional hall should be wide open to public.
When such a large structure was built it should have been a Green Building. Given that the govt. engaged German architects they are well-versed in green construction. Some questions: Does it have water harvesting? What is the water requirement for this building. Does it use any renewable energy components like solar panels? It's a shame that in a city where water is scarce and blessed with so much sunlight we still stick to conventional construction methods. It's a beautiful design. Typically this site should be used for the purpose it has been designed for because that's when you will get the best out of it. If the govt. is abandoning it for political reasons or because some bureaucrat did not get his cut, it would be a shame and should be condemned.
Vittukodupathal veelapovathumillai, thatti kodupathal thalnthu povadhum illai. Using this building for hospitals, trade convention hall to improve industrial growth is nothing wrong. My hard earned tax money should not be wasted. It is not a politicians property. It belongs to citizens of tamilnadu.
Make it the biggest Library and science center..
Let us keep up the wishes of Omandoorar. Either run State/Central Govt Offices or conversion to Multi speciality Govt. Hospital.
How about using it as a Museum ? The building was meant to be used by politicians for their R & R (Robbery and Ripoffs) after getting elected. The building must be air conditioned, have adequate electricity and water supply. Any museum in the heart of the city with such facilities would be welcome by the residents of Chennai and Tamil Nadu.
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