Old, dilapidated buildings in Secretariat pose danger: Become anti-socials’ hub

The dilapidated condition of the old buildings at the State Secretariat campus poses a serious threat to the politicians and officials working there.

The entire Fort complex is managed by the Defence Department and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). After the construction of a three-storey main building, which houses the offices of the Chief Minister and the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and the 10-storey Namakkal Kavingar building, the old buildings were hardly in use.

The unused old buildings were not even renovated and as a result the buildings are decaying and also posing danger. An official, attached to ASI, on request of anonymity, said that the older buildings were once the residence and the office of the Governor of Madras Presidency but are not in use since Independence. However, the buildings are damaged beyond renovation and recently a portion of the old building caved-in.

Apart from these dangers, the dilapidated buildings are the den of anti-social activities. Ravi, a Higher Education Department official said that the old buildings are used only for smoking and playing cards and Secretariat staff are unable to pass by that particular area. Though the matter has been raised with officials of the Public department, action is yet to be taken, Ravi added.

VS Kumar, Under Secretary, Public (Estates Department), which is  in-charge of Secretariat campus, said they have decided to make the Secretariat a no-smoking zone and after filling vacancies in Roving department, people playing cards inside the old buildings would be removed.

He also said that despite senior bureaucrats being informed about the old buildings, they still continue to use the space for parking.