CHENNAI: The Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai, the 10-storeyed building, housing offices of the Secretaries of most of the departments of the State government at Fort St George, renovated with modern facilities, is likely to be inaugurated by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa within a few days. Initially, `28 crore was allocated for the renovation and later, the cost was hiked.
The architectural features of renovation comprise traditional and modern aspects. Only the external facade has been re-done. The renovation work was launched by the Chief Minister on March 5, 2012. The Public Works Department got the approval of Archeological Department and the Heritage Committee of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority for the renovation works.
The building has been equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and amenities. Centralised air-conditioning with new electrical transformers, painting the outer walls of the building using special technology and improved basic amenities are some of the features of the renovation undertaken.
Along with the renovated Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai, the Chief Minister is likely to inaugurate the state-of-the-art gyms for men and women employees, set up in the building inside the premises of the State Secretariat at Fort St George.
Announcing the setting up of the gyms last year, the CM said the facilities would be in place to help the employees in obviating the stress and tiredness due to excessive hours of work. Since their job is of sedentary nature, their health gets affected. At present over 6,000 employees are working at the Secretariat.