According to an official release here today, the complex will house various courts and residences for judges.

'The government led by Jayalalithaa has been taking steps to improve infrastructure in courts, since judiciary is one of the pillars of democracy,' it said.

The release said that the Chief Minister was keen to ensure that courts functioned from their own buildings, instead of rented premises.

'Since many courts at Tindivanam in Villupuram district are functioning at various places amid space crunch and other difficulties, the Chief Minister has ordered to construct a consolidated court complex at Jakkempet on Tindivanam Main Road at a cost of Rs 17.31 crore,' the release said.

The project will be the first phase of efforts to ensure all courts in the State gradually shifted to their own premises.

Earlier in May, she announced that a sum of Rs 22 crore would be spent on maintenance and repair work on various court buildings in Chennai to enable them to sport a new look without compromising on its heritage value.

Making a suo motu statement in the Assembly, she said the purpose of the project was to maintain the antiquity of those court buildings.

'The buildings of George Town Court, Saidapet Court, Egmore Courts and Small Causes Court in the premises of Madras High Court will be given a fresh look without any change to the existing structure. A sum of Rs 22 crore has been alloted for the purpose,' she said.