The order came after Transport Minister MR Vijayabhaskar made an announcement in the State Assembly last year that a new building would be constructed for the Transport Commissionerate functioning under the Transport Commissioner.

At present, the office of the Transport Commissioner is functioning in the first floor of Ezhilagam main building belonging to Commissioner of Revenue Administration. “The Commissioner’s office is functioning with 131 ministerial staff and 15 officers. Various transactions such as taxation, registration, issuing of permits, licences and entire staff establishments are being performed by this office,” the order said.

Explaining the necessity for bigger office space in the proposal sent to the Home Secretary, the Transport Commissioner said that it has to accommodate the World Bank sponsored consultants with supporting staff relating to road safety activities.

“Based on the directions of the Madras High Court, a toll-free auto-rickshaw and omnibus complaints control room has already been established for receiving complaints from the public, which is functioning from a small cabin. Hence, it is necessary to set up a permanent control room with all infrastructural facilities,” it said.