Rs 100-crore face-lift planned for Mantralaya

“The present Mantralaya building is 45 years old, and it houses 27 government departments. Over the years there has been substantial increase in the office set-up of every department. Not a single department has continuous space so as to have cabins of the ministers, secretaries and other officials of the department on the same floor. The lack of space creates problems for smooth functioning of all departments. Ministers do not have adequate space for their chambers. Moreover, the presentstructure of the Mantralaya building could create serious problems during search and rescue operations if a major fire breaks out on any of the six floors. Even as far as security arrangements are concerned, the building has some lacunae. Considering all these aspects, we have decided to renovate the building,” Rane said.

The CM added the government had to acquire office space on rent to accommodate its officials at a cost of Rs 36 crore every year. He said an additional space measuring 1,40,000 sq ft will be available once the renovation is done and the government will therefore not have to pay any rent. The renovated building will have more elevators and cabins and smaller corridors, Rane said, adding that the final plan had been prepared by noted architect Hafiz Contractor. Rane said the work will be carried out by the Public Works Department of the government under the guidance of a committee which will be headed by chief secretary P Subramaniam.