Chennai Corporation Commissioner G.S. Sameeran on Saturday ordered officials to expedite work on the new council hall for accommodating additional councillors after delimitation of Corporation wards.

Currently, the 426 sq km of the Chennai Corporation has been divided into 200 wards. As the space in the council hall in Ripon Buildings is inadequate, work on a new council hall was taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.74.7 crore on the premises of Ripon Buildings near Victoria Public Hall. The new council hall will have adequate seats to accommodate new councillors after the delimitation of wards.

The commissioner also inspected the new canteen on the premises of Ripon Buildings and ordered officials to improve services. The canteen has an entry at the Periamet, Sydenhams Road for local residents while corporation employees will visit the canteen from another gate from Ripon Buildings. The commissioner also ordered officials to improve the facilities at the canteen.

Mr. Sameeran also inspected the gymnasium and parking lot on the premises of Ripon Buildings and ordered officials to improve maintenance of the facilities.

Mr. Sameeran said: “In the new council hall project, 133 out of 235 piles have been completed. Before the monsoon, we are planning to complete basement level. By September 2027, we will complete the project.”