Minister E.V. Velu Reviews Reconstruction Progress at Tamil Nadu House, New Delhi

New Delhi : The Honorable Minister for Public Works, Highways, and Minor Ports, Mr. E. V. Velu, conducted a review meeting regarding the progress of building reconstruction work at the Tamil Nadu House Complex in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. The meeting was held in the Tamil Nadu House Conference Hall. Due to New Delhi being a highly seismic zone, the old buildings at the Tamil Nadu House Complex were demolished and are being reconstructed using earthquake-resistant designs. The foundation stone for the new building, which is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 257 crore, was laid by the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on July 26, 2024.

During his visit on October 1, 2024, Minister Velu, along with officials from the Public Works Department, reviewed the demolition of old buildings, debris removal, basement excavation, and arrangements for relocating offices to alternate facilities.

The new structure is designed to be earthquake-resistant and is being built at a cost of Rs. 257 crore. The building will comprise three basement floors, a ground floor, and six upper floors, covering a total area of 300,000 square feet. It will include staff quarters, guest accommodations, and a VIP section.

Minister Velu stressed the importance of ensuring proper safety measures during the demolition of old structures and the excavation process, and he urged officials to expedite the completion of the alternative office arrangements. He also instructed that construction waste and debris be properly managed and that protective equipment such as helmets, safety shoes, reflective jackets, and masks be provided to all workers involved in the construction activities.

Additionally, the Delhi government has issued 14 guidelines to control air pollution during the construction process, and the Minister emphasized the necessity of adhering to these regulations, such as enclosing the construction site with iron sheets and ensuring sufficient water spraying to prevent dust. All workers must be insured, and high-quality construction materials must be used.

The Minister further directed officials to prepare a work schedule to ensure the project is completed by December 2025, with regular monitoring of the progress.

The meeting was attended by Resident Commissioner of Tamil Nadu in New Delhi, Mr. A.G.S. Vijayan, Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Mangat Ram Sharma, Dr. R. Balasubramanian, Commissioner of Highways and Minor Ports, Mr. Ashish Kumar, Engineer-in-Chief of Public Works, Mr. V.P. Sathyamoorthy, and other related officials.