The Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) would be expanded to cover 8,878 sq km from its current 1,189 sq km. All of Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts as well as Arakkonam taluk in Vellore district would be part of the new CMA, Housing and Urban Development Minister Udumalai K. Radhakrishnan told the Assembly on Monday.
“The objective is to counter the effect of ever-increasing population in Chennai; regulate development in fast-growing suburban areas; and create infrastructure on a par with economic activities,” he said, while replying to a debate on Demands for Grants. The Minister said the government would draw up a Strategic Regional Plan to ensure urbanisation and planned urban development in the expanded areas and master plans for urban and economic growth centres. The entire process is expected to be completed in another year. “Development schemes will pay adequate attention to transport, basic infrastructure, environment protection and protection of fertile agricultural lands,” Mr. Radhakrishnan said, adding that the administrative structure in the CMA would be strengthened through proper changes.
Mr. Radhakrishnan said the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority would prepare a plan for proper utilisation of vacant areas under the flyovers in Chennai and suburban areas. “The areas will be used for additional parking facilities, green areas and advertisements,” he said.
Stressing the need for improving the environment and the safety of people in old areas like Triplicane and George Town that have continuous building areas, the minister said a re-development plan would be evolved for the purpose. “These areas will get public space, wider roads, infrastructure development and safe buildings. The re-development will be done based on guidelines evolved by experts,” he said.
The minister said since the road linking Koyambedu vegetable market, the private bus stand and the Koyambedu terminus has heavy traffic, the government would prepare a traffic development and management plan. This will also benefit the Metro Rail station.
He said Mahabalipuram will get a 6.79-acre new bus stand at a cost of ₹10 crore. The bus stand will function as a centre for Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kalpakkam, Puducherry.
