CHENNAI: Amma Maaligai, the new annexure of the Chennai Corporation headquarters, was opened on Tuesday. Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa inaugurated the the five-storey 1.50 lakh sq ft building through video conferencing in the morning.
The development would relieve the pressure on Ripon Building, the century-old heritage structure that houses the headquarters of the Corporation of Chennai. Concerned over the lack of space and the resultant damage faced by the Ripon Building, officials decided to shift over 1,000 corporation employees from departments including solid waste management, electrical and mechanical, and storm water drains to the new building. However, top officials including the regional commissioners, heads of departments and Mayor would continue working from the Ripon building.
Corporation officials said the Amma Maaligai, equipped with all modern facilities, was built at a total cost of `23 crore.
An official said the new building has a 500-seat auditorium, 100-seat conference hall and a parking lot to accommodate 50 cars and 150 motor-cycles.
The building has been constructed to represent current architectural trend and also has some characteristics from heritage sites. Construction of building was expected to be completed by June 2014, but it was delayed by contractors, the official added.