7.1. The aim of Town and Country Planning today is to achieve the economic and social objectives and goals under the national and state policies / plans by translating them into physical plans for maximization of the welfare to the community, in the process to create a pleasant environment for the people to live, work and spend their leisure time.

7.2. Tamil Nadu being the most urbanized state having urban population much above the national average conducive for better economic development requires provision and maintenance of civic and social infrastructure in a sustained manner. The plans for the physical development or land are being prepared at different levels, viz., metropolitan, town and local. The plans for some regions were prepared earlier and they are intended to create conditions in which resources in terms of natural endowment, skill and capital in each region are fully utilised.

The objective has to be the enrichment of the community, with necessary constraint, the relative improvement of the economically weaker section. While policy should be to maximize the sum of regional incomes, it should be ensured that no region is allowed to remain below the mean rate of development. Therefore, not only the economic planning but the physical planning also should be on a regional basis. The physical planning and economic planning on a regional basis have to be integrated. Having arrived at a region as a fundamental planning unit, which could be taken as the revenue district, the strategy for Town and Country Planning should be to formulate plans at different level as below and integrate them to evolve balanced development among different regions within the State.

A regional plan for the viable regions, which must be the revenue districts, which will recognize the principles of rural-urban continuum, identify growth, growth centres and service centres and provide for integrated development of rural and urban areas. A sub-regional plan for an area with dominant characteristics or for units of the region comprising of a group of villages linked to an urban centre, based on a hierarchy of settlements is evolved in the regional plan.

A master plan / new town development plan for the development of metropolitan areas, urban growth centres and new towns identified in the regional plan.

Detailed development plans for areas designated in the master plans.

Thus the time is ripe for ushering in progressive methods and techniques in planning and the regional approach evolved with its emphasis on the planning of rural and urban areas as an indivisible unit would enable the state to proceed to higher levels of development.

The Regional Plan will deal with the identification of resource base, distribution of population and employment, the major communication network, the main policies for agricultural and industrial development, conservation and recreation, green belts and general development policy for towns and villages. The regional Plans would mainly include:

a. Identification of metropolitan areas, urban growth centres and villages that will need to be taken up immediately for improvement so that necessary plans may be prepared and implemented for these areas.

b. Transport and Communication network and their development,

c. Demarcation, conservation and development of areas of natural resources and landscaping.

d. Demarcation of objects and buildings of archaeological or historical interest or natural beauty.

e. Rural housing programme together with the community development programme would form an integrated programme under the regional plan for improvement of the living conditions in rural areas.

f. Preparation of Regional Plans for Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur Districts, considering the proximity to Chennai Metropolitan Area and Regional Plan for Coimbatore District, considering its huge potential for industrial development, are proposed to be taken up during this year.

A Master Plan will be prepared for the Metropolitan areas, the urban centres and for the areas designated as new town sites. It will emphasis the broad structure of the area and deal with policies, objectives and standards rather than in the detail and static land use allocations. The emphasis would be on the dynamics of urban growth and renewal on the relationship between land uses and the inter-relationship of land use zoning and transport. Master Plan/ New Town Development Plan for 6 Local Planning Areas /New Town Development Area viz., Nellikuppam, Gummidipoondi, Thiruchengode, Kagidhapuram (NTDA Plan), Kulithurai and Padmanabhapuram has been prepared during the year 2007-08. It is proposed to prepare/review 6 Master Plans/ New Town Development Plans during the year 2008-09.

Detailed Development Plans would be prepared for the areas identified in the Master Plan where large scale development, re-development or improvement will be undertaken and which need to be planned in detail. The detailed development area may be a large area for new housing or other purposes, or a re-development and renewal scheme. It will provide a framework of objectives, standards and layout, including public development and public services and the pattern of vehicular and pedestrian movement throughout the area. Within this framework there would be maximum freedom for the individual developer. 100 Detailed Development Plans have been prepared during the year 2007-08. It is proposed to prepare 50 Detailed Development Plans for the year 2008-09.

Government have notified 50 towns as heritage towns/ places all over the State. With a view to conserving the heritage sites/monuments and to preserve them from further deterioration, this department has so far prepared development plans for 38 heritage towns. Besides planning, implementation of development projects is undertaken under funding from the Town and Country Planning Development Fund as 100% grant to a tune of a maximum of Rs.50.00 lakhs for each heritage town. Under this programme, so far a total amount of Rs.12,75,00,000 has been sanctioned for carrying out development projects in 27 heritage towns. Projects have been identified in 25 towns for which Administrative sanction has been issued for an amount of Rs.10,74,47,500 out of which an amount of Rs.8,79,88,500 has been released so far to the concerned local bodies. It is proposed to undertake development projects in 5 more heritage towns during the year 2008-09.

Apart from preparation of statutory development plans this department has prepared comprehensive traffic and transportation study reports for the five corporations viz., Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchy, Salem and Tirunelveli besides traffic operational and management plans for 58 towns to pin point the main problem in order to evolve a rational traffic and transportation plan for the urban centres. With a view to implementing the proposals of the study reports as well as to take up immediate traffic system management measures, 75% of the cost of the project is provided as grant from the Town and Country Planning Development Fund with the condition that the remaining 25% shall be borne by the concerned local body. The maximum grant is limited to Rs.50.00 lakhs for a corporation and Rs.25.00 lakhs for a municipality. Under this programme, projects have been identified in 23 towns for which Administrative sanction has been issued for an amount of Rs.6,50,96,500 out of which, an amount of Rs.1,34,44,300 has been released as grant so far to the concerned local bodies. It is proposed to undertake traffic improvement projects in 5 more municipalities during the year 2008-09.

Policy for recreational developments includes the programme of improvement of existing parks under funding assistance from the Town and Country Planning Development Fund. 90% of the cost of the project is provided as grant subject to a maximum of Rs.2.25 lakh for one park. The balance amount has to be met by the concerned local body. Earlier only 50% of the cost of the project was provided as grant restricting to a maximum of Rs.1.25 lakhs which has been revised by the Government to 90% as given above. Under this programme, it is proposed to provide fund for improvement of parks during the year 2008-09.

8.1 a. With a view to regulating the developments in Chennai City and to ensuring orderly development providing for amenities and convenience in Chennai City, the Government have constituted the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority as a Statutory Authority under the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act 1971. Though it was initially set up as an adhoc body during 1972, it became a Statutory Authority on 07.03.1975. The jurisdiction of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority technically called Chennai Metropolitan Planning Area extends to an area of 1189 sq.kms. covering Chennai City, 16 Municipalities, 20 Town Panchayats and 214 villages in 10 Panchayat Unions.

b. The main functions and powers of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority as provided under section 9(c) of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971 include the following:

i. Conducting survey of the Chennai Metropolitan Planning Area.

ii. Preparation of Master Plan/Detailed Development Plan/New Town Development Plan.

iii. Preparation of land use map.

c. The Government have taken note of the trend of up coming Software Industries and Bio-Tech Industries in and around Chennai Metropolitan Planning Area and accordingly the Government proposed several measures to improve urban infrastructures and civic services. Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority as a Nodal Agency for several service Departments have under taken studies, surveys and has formulated a number of developmental projects in order to ensure balanced urban development and to improve the quality of life in Chennai Metropolitan Planning Area.

a. As directed by the Government in G.O.Ms.No.331, Housing and Urban Development Department, dated 5.12.2006 the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority prepared a fresh draft Second Master Plan and forwarded the Plan to Government for its consent on 21.3.2007. In G.O.Ms.No.124, Housing and Urban Development Department, dated 30.3.2007, the Government accorded their consent to Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority for publication of the Notice under Section 26 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act, 1971 for public consultation of the Draft Master Plan-II.

b. Based on the consent given by the Government, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority published the notice as prescribed in the Act / Rules in Tamil Nadu Government Gazette on 11.04.07 requesting the public to give their objections and suggestions / views before 12.07.07 (subsequently, the last date for receipt of public objections / suggestions was extended upto 31.08.07). The notification was republished in Newspapers, District Gazette etc. as per the Master Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area (preparation, publication and approval) Rules 1974.

c. Copies of draft Second Master Plan in English and Tamil and also short version of the same were made available to public. It was also put on the official website www.cmdachennai.org. In order to facilitate the public to give their views, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority conducted public consultation meetings at 14 centres in the Chennai Metropolitan Area. Meetings with Builders Association, Chennai Corporation Councillors, and stakeholders were also held. The suggestions / objections received in the public consultations were also put up in the official web site of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority for information.

d. About 900 No. of objections / suggestions petitions were received from Public. To examine the objections / suggestions, seven subject-wise committees comprising officials from concerned Government Departments / Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, experts in the field and representatives from NGOs / CBOs were constituted. The Committees’ recommendations were examined, placed before the Authority on 26.10.2007 and the modified draft Second Master Plan was forwarded to Government on 23.11.2007 for its approval.

e. The proposed Second Master Plan is a comprehensive plan with a vision to make Chennai a prime Metropolis which will become more livable, economically vibrant, environmentally sustainable with better assets for the future generations. The metropolitan demography, economy, transport, shelter, water supply & sewerage and other physical and social infrastructure including solid waste management, macro drainage, environment aspects have been examined in detail and policies and strategies for developments proposed in the plan. Development Regulations proposed in the plan for regulating land uses and constructions have taken into account the changed circumstances in the Metropolitan area.

a. Chennai Metropolitan Development Plan is an Investment Plan for infrastructure development within the Chennai Metropolitan Area. It has been prepared in consultation with the Government Departments, Agencies and Local Bodies within this metropolis. The main objective of the plan is to identify infrastructure needs in each sector, and prioritize the projects and implement through departments/ agencies/local bodies concerned. It is being implemented as Annual Plans from 2003-04. Infrastructure development projects costing Rs.4202 crores have been implemented from 2003 to 2007. The projects with total outlay of Rs.2154.69 crores are being implemented by line agencies in 2007-08.

b. In consultation with the Government departments, agencies and local bodies, annual plan outlay of Rs.2327.05 crores have been proposed for infrastructure projects to be implemented under Chennai Metropolitan Development Plan for the year 2008-09.

In order to fulfill one of the objectives of the first Master Plan (i.e.) to decongest the Central Business District (CBD), a wholesale market complex was developed at Koyambedu for perishable market as a first phase. In the second phase, development of Food Grains Market complex is proposed to be taken up. Detailed design for the market has been prepared through consultant Architect and the same has been finalised after obtaining the consent from the traders. The Government have also accorded Administrative sanction for the development of Wholesale Food grains Market with 500 shops in an extent of 15.60 acres of land at a cost of Rs.61.85 crores. The Government consulting agency viz. National Productivity Council was appointed to prepare the Environmental Report. After receipt of the report, the application was submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India for getting prior Environmental clearance. On receipt of the same and after obtaining the consent from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), the development works will be commenced during the year 2008-09.

a. The second phase of Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) was taken up for implementation and commissioned in November 2007 for a length of 11.166 km. with 9 stations viz. Mandaveli, Greenways road, Kotturpuram, Kasthuriba Nagar, Indira Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Taramani, Perungudi and Velachery at a cost of Rs.733 crores. Unlike in Phase-I, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority have the right for the development of Air Space above these stations or in the land adjoining the stations for commercial exploitation.

b. The Authority has resolved to take up the project in all the stations on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis. Accordingly, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has sent necessary proposal to Government to accord permission to take up the project on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis in the last three stations initially namely Taramani, Perungudi and Velachery which are away from the Buckingham Canal and in turn free from Coastal Regulations Zone (CRZ) clearance. The Government, in G.O.(Ms).No.75, Housing and Urban Development Department, dated 26.03.08, have issued orders to take up air space development work in the three stations viz Taramani, Perungudi and Velachery. The project may be taken up for execution in 2008-09. The project in the first six stations i.e. from Mandaveli to Thiruvanmiyur, which needs Coastal Regulations Zone (CRZ) clearance, will be taken up later.

The MRTS Phase-II from Tirumayilai to Velachery has been completed fully upto Velachery at a re-estimated cost of Rs.733.39 crores and commissioned in November 2007. The Government of Tamil Nadu have so far released Rs.481.38 crores for the project as its share. Recognising the fact that the full potential of the system can be realised only if it is taken further in an orbital way as recommended in the Master Plan for the Chennai Metropolitan Area, Government of Tamil Nadu carried out necessary techno-economic feasibility studies through the consultant M/s.RITES and made a project proposal to extend the MRTS Phase-II upto St. Thomas Mount to cover another 5 km. to complete a rail loop with the Chennai Beach – Tambaram sub-urban line and moved Government of India for sanctioning the same. The estimated cost of the project is Rs.496 crore. The Government of India have agreed to implement the project by adopting the cost sharing formula by 66.67:33.33 ratio of Government of Tamil Nadu and Government of India respectively. The project execution period would be three years. The Government have accorded necessary administrative sanction for the project vide G.O.Ms.No.14, Housing and Urban Development Department, dated 14.1.2008.

a. In order to reduce the traffic congestion in Chennai the Government have decided to introduce Metro Rail System in Chennai for the benefit of commuters. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) also made detailed presentation on 21.8.2003 to the Government and, the Government permitted the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to prepare a Detailed Feasibility Report (DFR) at a cost of Rs.54.00 lakhs in G.O.Ms.No.107, Housing and Urban Development Department, dated 18.6.04. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) presented the Detailed Feasibility Report (DFR) to Government for consideration. The Government in G.O.Ms.No.255, Housing and Urban Development Department, dated 21.7.2005 directed Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

b. Further the Government in G.O.Ms.No.36, Transport (E) Department, dated 5.7.06 have directed that the Metro Rail System shall be implemented in Chennai city.

c. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Government in November 2007 for the corridors as detailed below:

Corridor-1: Washermanpet – Broadway – Chennai Central Station – Rippon Building – Gemini – Anna Salai – Saidapet – Guindy – Chennai Airport.

Corridor-2: Fort – Chennai Central – EVR Periyar Salai – Shenoy Nagar – Anna Nagar – Thirumangalam – Vadapalani – Ashok Nagar – Alandur – St. Thomas Mount.

d. Subsequent to the above, a meeting of the Metro Rail Project Committee was held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary to Government and one of the follow up action that had to be taken by Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority was to prepare a Comprehensive Mobility Plan. The same was prepared by Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority.

e. Further a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) called The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has been incorporated as a limited company with effect from November 07 in order to implement the project. The Board of Directors have also been appointed. Total estimated cost (at March 2007 prices without taxes) is as follows:

Corridor – I Rs.5,689 crores

Corridor – II Rs.3,343 crores

f. For the Financial year 2007-08 the Government have released a sum of Rs.50.94 crores for the project. The required resources for executing the project is under finalisation by the Chennai Metro Rail Limited.

a. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has constructed Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) along Jawaharlal Nehru Salai at Koymabedu, Chennai at a cost of Rs.103 crores. The Terminus is being successfully maintained at International standards for the past five years and is awarded the ISO 9001-2000 for Maintenance and Management.

b. In Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus, the vehicular parking need is increasing day by day and the present paved parking area is insufficient to meet this demand. Especially, during holidays, festival days and auspicious occasion, the demand for two wheeler parking is more. Keeping this in mind, developing double level basement parking, adjacent to Jawaharlal Nehru Salai i.e. in the vacant space of Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus, for two wheelers was found to be the solution to meet the up coming challenge for parking demand. Based on the Authority Resolution No.221/07 dated 24.7.2007, the Government have accorded administrative sanction for the project to be executed at a cost of Rs.9 crores vide G.O.Ms.No.321 Housing and Urban Development Department, dated 15.10.2007.

c. The Hon’ble Minister for Local Administration has laid foundation stone for the above project on 19.1.2008 at Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus.

d. The proposed structure will have a total floor area of 65000 sq.ft. (two floors put together) with a parking capacity of 3000 two wheelers. In addition, on the top of the roof i.e. at the ground level a beautiful park with a pathway for morning walkers has been proposed to enhance the beauty of the Terminus. This work is proposed to be completed within 1 ½ years.

a. Chennai would be one among the mega cities with 10 millions or more people in the days to come. Chennai is the gateway of South East Asia. The rapid growth of urbanization was the concern of the Government and the need to have careful planning in the transport sector to meet the ever growing demands of the increasing population was also keenly felt.

b. The integrated growth of Road and Rail Services and other incidental services connected to traffic improvements is also to be taken care of especially for cities like Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai.

c. So far as Chennai is concerned, many studies have been taken up for development of transportation in the Chennai Metropolitan Planning Area. Despite the studies made and the efforts taken by various departments like Highways, Transport Departments, etc., the problems in the traffic network, bottlenecks in the inter-modal integration, road connectivity aspects, pedestrian crossing and parking problems are all the issues to be addressed immediately so as to ensure orderly traffic and transportation pattern and traffic circulation pattern in the above cities. Realising this need, as directed by Hon’ble Chief Minister a State Level Committee on traffic improvements for Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai cities under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary to Government, with Officers of various line departments and the experts was constituted vide G.O.(Ms.)No.144, Housing and Urban Development Department, dated 23.04.2007.

d. As decided in the first meeting of the State Level Committee held on 05.05.2007, four Sub-Committees for Chennai City were formed. These committee are to address the following issues:-

(1) Identification of problems in the present traffic network and bottlenecks in the inter modal integration and road connectivity aspects.

(2) Short term measures for improvement of traffic.

(3) Medium and long term measures.

(4) Traffic Management.

e. The Sub-Committees and the State Level Committee had several sittings and had detailed deliberations on the issues with special reference to the present traffic scenario and the demands of the people that are emerging especially in view of the fast growing Information Technology sector and other industries. A comprehensive traffic and transportation infrastructure plan for Chennai Metropolitan Planning Area and the surrounding regions has been prepared prioritizing the road development schemes and traffic management schemes under various sectors. This would be further studied and proposed for implementation in the coming years, which as a result would mitigate the sufferings of the travelling public and meet the growing demands of one and all in the transport sector.

f. Similar Mobility Plans have also been prepared for Coimbatore and Madurai Cities.

The schemes and developmental works elaborated upon in the preceding chapters clearly illustrate the new initiatives and the performance of the Department. Hence, it is as clear as crystal that the Government of Tamil Nadu under the exemplary leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Kalaignar, through the Housing and Urban Development Department are implementing numerous schemes and achieving new heights to ensure the betterment of the life of the people. In short this Department will definitely achieve the goal of "developing well planned cities" and "slum free State".

Suba. Thangavelan
Minister for Slum Clearance and Accommodation Control