After a gap of two decades, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is set to complete the detailed development plans (DDP) for a few more localities.
The CMDA commenced work on preparation of DDPs for five areas in the Chennai metropolitan area (CMA) in 2010. The areas to be covered in this phase are Ambattur, Velachery, Villivakkam, Perumbakkam and Nazrethpet.
The housing and urban development department had set a deadline of December 31, 2012 for the completion of DDPs for Velachery, Villivakkam and Ambattur. However, the work is expected to be completed only after January. The delay has been attributed to lack of manpower in the CMDA. DDPs for Perumbakkam and Nazrethpet are expected to be completed by the end of 2013. The DDPs for the remaining areas are expected to be carried out in a phased manner based on the provisions of the second master plan.
More than 60 per cent of the city is yet to be covered by DDPs, which are micro-level action plans that are in conformity with master plans prepared for the CMA. The plans include details pertaining to zoning of land use, infrastructure like parks and play fields, link roads and commercial and industrial areas to facilitate balanced development within the provisions of the master plan. The plans take into consideration the need for provision of an effective road network and fixing the alignments of such roads.
DDPs have already been prepared and approved by the government for 57 areas in the CMA and the work was suspended in the interim period of the second master plan. The work resumed after the second master plan for the CMA was approved by the government in 2008. Even though the CMDA planned to rejuvenate the DDP unit with adequate staff to facilitate preparation of the plans, the Authority is yet to cope with the challenge of inadequate staff members for the purpose.
DDPs are prepared under Section 27 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act. The maps will be prepared on a scale of 1:2000 and will show the ideal use of each piece of land in the area and guide infrastructure development by various department and agencies. Preparation of the base maps in some of the areas will gather momentum after Pongal. The DDPs will also be helpful in land-use planning that has become obsolete in many areas such as Velachery.
Field survey of every street, road and property is being done as part of the preparation of a DDP. This would provide details of the land use and existing infrastructure developments. Another set of maps would be prepared which would show the proposed land use. The maps would be finalised after inviting objections from the public. Public consultations would be organised for recording the views of the public.
