TN Chief Minister's Office To Move From Historic Fort St. George After 60 Years
Tamil Nadu CM office shifts after decades at Fort St. George.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) is set to relocate from its long-standing home inside the historic Fort St. George complex to Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai (NKM) in Chennai. The move marks a significant administrative change after more than six decades, with renovation and preparation work already underway at the new premises to accommodate the Chief Minister’s office and staff.
Officials said the primary reason behind the relocation is the shortage of space at the existing CMO facility in the Main Building of Fort St. George. The office has faced increasing challenges in managing the growing number of officials, visitors, and delegations meeting Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay since he assumed office. The government has maintained that the shift is aimed at improving administrative efficiency and ensuring better visitor management.
Under the new arrangement, the Chief Minister’s Office will be established on the 10th floor of Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai, which offers a view of the Bay of Bengal. The Public Works Department has begun preparatory work, with the existing dining hall near the conference hall being converted into the new CMO space. Furniture, fixtures, and other facilities from the area are being shifted to Kalaivanar Arangam to make room for the office setup.
Also Read: CM Bhagwant Mann's Photo To Be Printed On Punjab School Bags
The relocation will also require the shifting of several government departments currently operating from the 10th floor of NKM. Sections of the Information and Tamil Development Department, Home (Prohibition) Department, and Commercial Taxes Department will be moved to different locations. Officials said the Information and Tamil Development Department will be transferred to Kalaivanar Arangam, while other departments will be accommodated within the Fort St. George Secretariat campus.
Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai, a 10-storey Secretariat annex, currently houses offices of secretaries and sections from 34 government departments. Built by Parsn Foundation and Engineering Company, the building was inaugurated in 1975 by then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and has undergone several renovation projects over the years. Its selection as the new CMO location adds another chapter to its administrative importance.
The move reflects the changing administrative landscape of the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, which has witnessed multiple relocations over the past two decades. In 2010, the DMK government shifted Secretariat operations to the newly built Omandurar Government Estate, but the succeeding AIADMK government moved key departments back to Fort St. George in 2011. The latest relocation is expected to become another major milestone in the state’s administrative history.
Also Read: Trump Administration Cancelled $7.5 Billion in Clean Energy Grants, Filing Shows
