Olympic City, ₹1,200 crore Secretariat and Formula racing hub among CM Vijay’s new Chennai projects

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday announced plans to establish a world-class Olympic City in Chennai, aimed at creating an integrated training ecosystem and producing athletes capable of winning medals at the Olympics and other major international competitions. Making the announcement in the state Assembly under Rule 110, Vijay said the Tamil Nadu Olympic City would be developed by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT). The proposed facility will bring high-performance training, sports science, medicine and residential infrastructure together at a single location, while providing Chennai with facilities capable of hosting major national and international sporting competitions.

New Secretariat complex

In another major infrastructure announcement, Vijay unveiled plans for a new Secretariat-cum-Assembly complex in Chennai at an estimated cost of ₹1,200 crore. The proposed complex will cover around 20 lakh square feet and is intended to bring state government departments together within an integrated administrative facility.

The eco-friendly complex will include conference halls, public service centres, fire safety systems and accessibility infrastructure for persons with disabilities. It will also provide parking facilities and modern amenities for government employees. Vijay said consolidating government departments at one location was necessary to ensure efficient and modern administration over the coming decades.

“The new project, estimated at ₹1,200 crore, will span 20 lakh square feet in Chennai, integrating all government departments into a modern, accessible, and eco-friendly facility while preserving the heritage of the existing Fort St. George,” Vijay said. The Chief Minister said the state government controls only around four acres of the 107-acre Fort St. George campus, while the remaining area is managed by the Defence authorities and the Archaeological Survey of India.

The historic buildings at Fort St. George will be preserved as a heritage site for future generations. The government has, however, not yet specified the exact location in Chennai where the new Secretariat-cum-Assembly complex will be constructed.

High-performance hub

The Olympic City will feature international-standard sports arenas, advanced sporting equipment and a dedicated High Performance Training Centre. Specialised Sports Science and Sports Medicine centres will also form part of the complex. Residential facilities will be developed for athletes and coaches, allowing sportspersons to access training, accommodation, scientific support and medical services within the integrated complex. The state government expects the project to strengthen the development pathway for athletes and improve Tamil Nadu's ability to produce competitors capable of succeeding at the highest levels of international sport.

Formula racing push

Alongside the Olympic City, Vijay announced plans for a dedicated Motor Sports City in Chennai, giving a significant push to Tamil Nadu's ambitions in international motor racing. The motorsports complex is planned to have infrastructure capable of hosting Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula 4 races. It will also provide training opportunities to identify and nurture young racing talent from Tamil Nadu. The state expects the project to attract major motor racing and automobile companies while generating opportunities in tourism, employment and associated economic activities.