The newly constructed Tashiling Secretariat was inaugurated by the Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling on the 4th of December 2018. The new secretariat building, which will be the central administrative building of the government of Sikkim, was constructed at the cost of Rs. 264.30 crores.
The old Secretariat building was destroyed by the devastating earthquake on 18th September 2011 magnitude of 6.9. Previously, the building had already incurred some damage during the earthquake of February 2006. This goes to show the vulnerabilities of Sikkim which lies in a high-seismic zone and the utmost importance of incorporating earthquake-resistant designs in the construction of buildings.
The new secretariat building, the reconstruction project for which started in 2012, has been constructed to sustain an earthquake of 8 magnitude on the Richter scale – a marvel of smart architecture to suit the requirements of the city.
Compared to the older building, the new-seven storey building is very spacious with a parking space for up to 100 vehicles and has been built to fit the needs of the 21st century. Moreover, it is also an exemplar of aesthetic architecture, which will surely attract tourists.
This is indeed a milestone! This will prove to be a great asset, serving the people of Sikkim for years to come.