Chennai: Tension prevailed at the state secretariat on Thursday morning when tiles cracked and popped out on the first floor of Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai, triggering panic and leading to mass evacuation. Public Works Department minister E V Velu inspected the site and confirmed that the building, constructed in 1974, was structurally safe.
Panic-stricken staff of the administration wing of agriculture and farmers' welfare department rushed out of the first floor section around 11am, followed by hundreds of employees from various floors.Policemen used microphones to calm the staff, saying the cracks were just on the tiles and a PWD team was addressing the issue, urging everyone to resume work.
Visuals captured the anxiety of hundreds of staff standing outside the complex with their office bags. Velu made a spot inspection to assess the situation. "There are cracks in tiles, which were laid 14 years ago. I have directed PWD to lay new large tiles. The structural stability of the building is fine, and staff need not fear," he said. The Tamil Nadu Secretariat Association's office-bearers urged the minister to address the demand for a new secretariat.
In an official release, the state govt clarified that the tiles popped out in an area of 90sqft (6'x15') due to temperature changes. An investigation by PWD minister, engineer-in-chief of PWD, chief engineer (general), and engineers revealed there was no damage to the concrete beneath the tiles. "The damaged tiles will be removed, and new tiles will be laid in the entire room," the release said.