Fisherfolk seek transparency over proposed Tamil Nadu Secretariat complex at Pattinapakkam

The Public (Buildings) Department has said that no feasibility report was prepared for the proposed ₹1,200-crore Assembly and Secretariat complex at Pattinapakkam , while the Public Works Department (PWD) has said that the documents sought on the project are not available in its office, according to RTI replies obtained by the Mylai Area All Fishing Village Panchayat Sabha.

“Neither of the two key departments has any study document. This makes it clear that the site was selected without even a basic study,” said K. Bharathi, a coordinator of the sabha, seeking transparency in the decision-making process.

The sabha has sought withdrawal of the Government Order and allocation of the land for long-term fisher housing in a petition to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Thursday (November 5, 2026).

This comes after TNHB recently floated a tender to clear 96 old quarters at Pattinapakkam for the proposed new Assembly-cum-secretariat complex.

Area history

The complex is proposed on 25.55 acres, with a built-up area of 20 lakh sq. ft., under G.O. No. 564 issued on September 8, 2026. The sabha says the land, identified under survey nos. 4592 and 4593, was acquired in 1957 to provide individual houses to families from Mullikuppam, Mulli Nagar and Srinivasapuram.

Mr. Bharathi said apartment blocks were built instead, and families from two fishing villages did not move in. The buildings were later used as government staff quarters. Nearly 1,500 families from Mullikuppam and Mulli Nagar depend on the land for their housing needs, he said. The project could also affect fishing and fish trade in 10 fishing villages through security restrictions and increased traffic.

Regarding the existing 96 tenements at the site being vacant, Mr. Bharathi said the community did not oppose their demolition but questioned the urgency of the tender and alleged that Coastal Regulation Zone clearance had not been obtained.