Chennai's 2nd master plan may take effect tomorrow

The much-awaited second master plan for the Chennai metropolis, which was approved by the Cabinet on Saturday, is expected to come into force from September 4.

The plan, prepared by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) after 33 years, aims at making the city economically stronger and environmentally clean. It also includes Rs 50,000 crore infrastructure-related projects.

Chennai’s first master plan was published in 1975. The second draft master plan was made public in April 2007.

The plan envisions the growth of the city till 2026. It has proposals that could accommodate 12.6 million people by 2026 in Chennai. During this period, the demand for housing will vary between 38,000 and 62,000 units.

 

Parithi Ellamvazhuthi, chairman, CMDA, and state information minister, said the plan also includes changes in the building rules like allowing more multi-storeyed buildings in the CMD area, and increase in floor space index, providing reservation for the urban poor and making public transportation the preferred mode of travel.

More multi-storeyed buildings would also be allowed in the entire CMA region (excluding Island Grounds, aquifer recharge area and red hills catchment area).

A special provision for housing of economically weaker sections (EWS) and low income group (LIG) has been made.

According to this, when housing neighbourhoods and apartments are developed by the private sector on lands exceeding one hectare, 10 per cent of it has to be developed for LIG/EWS.