The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has decided to initiate the process of auctioning 30 ‘clean’ industrial plots in Chithmanur, about 45 km from here. The decision was taken at a meeting held earlier this week.
The size of the plot will range from 1.5 acre to 0.5 acre and the plots are expected to be sold at a price of Rs. 1070 per sq ft.
Clean industries are classified as those that do not pollute air, water or land resources. “Polluting industries such as leather and pharmaceutical industries will not be permitted in the layout. Auto ancillary industries that do not pollute the neighbourhood will find a place in such layouts,” said a CMDA official.
Infrastructure, including streetlights, roads, stormwater drains and sewer network, have been developed in the layout at an estimated cost of Rs. 11 crore.
CMDA plans to develop more industrial layouts for clean industries along similar lines in other parts of Chennai metropolitan area (CMA). The demand for industrial layouts within the metropolitan area is low and many of the existing plots classified as industrial land use zones have been seeking reclassification of the land for residential and commercial use. A number of builders have been seeking reclassification of industrial land in rapidly developing areas such as Perungudi and Ambattur. Such areas have demand only for commercial and residential developments.
Some other areas such as Puzhal and Kuthambakkam on the outskirts of the city and within CMA limits have significantly large industrial land use zones.
In order to cope with challenges pertaining to poor response to industrial layouts in CMA, the CMDA will carry out a study on a number of neighbourhoods that have the potential to attract clean industries, sources said.
Clean industries are expected to form a major part of the layouts expected to be developed after the encroachments on 400 acres in Kancheepuram district are cleared. Such layouts are likely to be developed on vacant land belonging to the CMDA in areas such as Kattankulathur.
The CMDA has already developed industrial layouts in localities including Thirukatchur and Ninnakarai. The last layout was formed by CMDA in Maraimalainagar Sengundram over a decade ago. The CMDA has also sought alienation of large pieces of government poromboke land in Kancheepuram district for the purpose.
