The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority(CMDA) will focus on developing Thirumazhisai , Minjur , Tiruvallur , Kancheepuram and Chengalpet as satellite towns around the state capital, preparing new town development plans and laying roads along these corridors for better connectivity.
Minister for housing and urban development S Muthusamy made the announcement in the state assembly on Wednesday.
As per the second master plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) expansion, the proposal included areas in Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpet and Arakkkonam taluk covering 5,094 sq km. This was prepared and was under examination. The proposed expansion had already been scaled down from 8,889 sq km and officials hinted that after consultations with local bodies, it may further come down as the focus is now on vertical development within the city rather than expanding it horizontally.
CMDA has already prepared a grid of roads plan for 196 revenue villages in the CMA to provide better transport facilities in undeveloped areas.
At Thirumazhisai, development of 311 acres of land abutting the Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway is already underway by Tamil Nadu Housing Board. “Already, work at a cost of Rs245 crore has been completed and in the next phase, plots, houses and flats will be taken,” the policy note said.
CMDA member secretary Anshul Mishra said the plan authority will make these towns self-sufficient and work as a facilitator by preparing master plans, creating a grid of roads and unveiling land pooling schemes and other development projects