The integrated Collectorate complex at Veeracholapuram near Kallakurichi is all set for inauguration. 
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The integrated Collectorate complex at Veeracholapuram near Kallakurichi is all set for inauguration. 
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The construction of an integrated Collectorate complex for Kallakurichi district has been completed by the Public Works Department and the complex at Veeracholapuram near Kallakurichi is all set for inauguration soon.

The civil works have been completed and only the peripheral works, including landscaping and laying of approach roads are under way. The works are scheduled to be completed soon. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is expected to inaugurate the building on December 26, a senior official said.

In 2019, the then AIADMK government announced the formation of Kallakurichi district by bifurcating the erstwhile Villupuram district. After Kallakurichi officially came into existence as the 33rd district of the State, efforts to split the administrative machinery from the composite Villupuram district gained pace and many government departments started functioning separately.

The Collectorate complex was temporarily accommodated at the Agricultural Marketing Committee office. Arrangements were also made to accommodate other departments, including Revenue and the Treasury at adjacent government buildings.

The State government initiated steps to identify land to construct the integrated Collectorate complex. Officials identified 35 acres of land belonging to the Arthanareeswarar temple at Veeracholapuram for constructing the Collectorate.

Though the construction of the eight-storey building began in 2020, the Madras High Court ordered the suspension of the construction on a petition filed by activist Rangarajan Narasimhan, who said the court had permitted the State to commence only preliminary work but the government had begun construction itself, without obtaining statutory clearances.

However, the court permitted the government to go ahead with the construction in May 2023, after the government submitted before the court that it had decided to take the land on lease at a monthly rent of ₹1.6 lakh, to be increased by 15% once in three years. 

An undertaking was also given to the court that after taking 34.817 acres on lease, the balance of 5.003 acres of the temple land would be fenced properly and developed for purposes, such as putting up a ‘nandavanam’ (flower garden) and ‘goshala’ which would be consistent with the purpose for which the land had been endowed eons ago.

Official sources said the construction of the building had been completed and the final phase of work was under way which would be completed in a week’s time. The building is slated for inauguration on December 26.

Spread over 35.18 acres, the Collectorate complex will comprise at least 40 departments, including revenue, rural development, animal husbandry, agriculture, social welfare, labour, tourism, and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments.

Three separate halls have been constructed for conducting review meetings, weekly grievance redressal meetings, and for distribution of welfare measures to the beneficiaries.

The complex will also have separate cabins for officials of various departments, conference room equipped with LED lights, and CCTV cameras. The Collector’s office will be on the third floor.

Published – December 17, 2025 07:53 pm IST