Niyamasabha Mandiram | |
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നിയമസഭാമന്ദിരം | |
The Niyamasabha Mandiram is the seat of Kerala's Legislative assembly
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General information | |
Type | Legislative building |
Architectural style | Kerala Architecture |
Location | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
Country | India |
Coordinates | 8°30′24″N 76°56′55″E / 8.5067°N 76.9487°ECoordinates: 8°30′24″N 76°56′55″E / 8.5067°N 76.9487°E |
Construction started | 1979 |
Completed | 1998 |
Cost | ₹9 billion (US$140 million) |
Owner | Government of Kerala |
Height | 200 feet (61 m) |
Technical details | |
Floor count | 5 + 1 basement |
Floor area | 802,453 square feet (74,550.3 m2) |
Design and construction | |
Architect | KPWD |
Civil engineer | KPWD |
Main contractor | Kerala State Construction Corporation |
The Niyamasabha Mandiram, located in Thiruvananthapuram, is the seat of the Kerala State Legislative Assembly or the Niyamasabha. Built primarily in the classical style of Architecture of Kerala, with strong influences of many contemporary styles, it is a structure with grand staircase, gardens, water bodies and a large Central Assembly Hall. Located in a high security zone, the complex accommodates the residence of the Speaker of the Niyamasabha, legislature offices of all MLAs and offices of independent commissions and bodies. The assembly was opened on 22 May 1998, by the President of India, K. R. Narayanan.
The Niyamasabha or Legislature of the State of Kerala was initially located in the Government Secretariat Complex from 12 December 1933 as the chambers of the Sree Moolam Popular Assembly and the Sri Chitra State Council, during the days of the Kingdom of Travancore. Post independence, the Assembly Hall became seat of the legislature of the newly formed Travancore-Cochin state, and later, that of the state of Kerala in 1956, after its formation. Due to the increased number of seats in the legislature of Kerala, the space became a major constraint – especially in the 1970s. In addition, space crunch was reported in the public galleries once the Assembly was opened to the general public to view the assembly proceedings. It was then decided to construct a new complex dedicated for the Assembly. In 1979, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, the then President of India, laid the foundation of the new complex.
The site chosen was Government Estate at Palayam, in heart of Thiruvananthapuram city, which was once the headquarters of the Nair Brigade of the Travancorean army. The old Army Headquarters was converted into the Legislature Museum.