The State government has decided to accord approval to the recommendation of the multi-storeyed building (MSB) panel for giving planning permission to the new stands in the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk.
The MSB panel had recommended the issue of planning permission to Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and Madras Cricket Club for the proposed construction of stands I, J and K stands and multi-level car parking facility in the existing stadium at No. 5, Victoria Hostel Road, Chepauk.
The government has also relaxed the norms pertaining to the distance between blocks, set back requirement and corridor width in exercise of discretionary powers.
The approval is subject to the conditions fulfilled by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and Madras Cricket Club on environmental clearance, no objection certificates from traffic police, fire and rescue services and Indian Air Force before the issuance of completion certificate.
The seats in the reconstructed galleries of M.A. Chidambaram Stadium have remained vacant this IPL season so far, including during the inaugural match between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians on April 4.
Over 12,500 tickets for seats in the modernised galleries will be sold if the Chennai Corporation revokes the lock-and-seal notice issued for the new structures last year. The Corporation had issued the notice as these galleries were built before obtaining building approvals from the civic body or planning permission from the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA).
The Chennai Corporation, which locked and sealed the stands, is yet to commence the process of issuing approval as the planning permission file is with the CMDA. “The planning permission has to come from the CMDA. We will examine it on merits,” said Corporation Commissioner D.Karthikeyan.
The project comprises new reinforced concrete stands accommodating additional spectators with extra hospitality boxes. Horizontal gaps between the lower terrace and the upper stands were also provided to allow sea breeze.
