Every city has areas classified as north, south, east and west. But nowhere does it have more significance than in Chennai.
“North Madras was where the city began. It’s a whole area worth exploring in the context of our identity as citizens of Madras,” says S. Muthaiah, the most well-known historian and heritage activist of Chennai.
The very city of Madras originated in North Chennai in the 17th century with the coming of the East India Company. The British set up a factory in Madrasapatnam on August 22, 1639, and today this is celebrated as Madras Day. A small fort was constructed in the next couple of years and this would soon become what we know today as Fort St. George.
The boundaries of North Chennai are generally acknowledged to be situated north of the Coovum River. Even today, if one walks down George Town’s Ibrahim Sahib street towards Bharathi Women’s College, one can see the Wall. It stands strong with its multiple gates as the lone reminder of the original boundary of the city of Chennai.
North Madras was once a collection of fishing hamlets that soon expanded into a small town with the coming of Fort St. George. Today, it is one of the busiest and crowded areas in Chennai with commercial and residential neighbourhoods. But despite this, it is only in North Chennai that one case smell history in the air, and feel it while walking down its ancient bylanes.
From a homebuyer’s perspective, despite traffic woes and highly populated neighbourhoods, North Chennai continues to remain viable. Why so?
Land prices
While North Chennai itself is a spot for prime real estate investment, the areas in and around are witnessing a boom in prices thanks to the establishment of IT parks and industrial estates.
Real estate builders are also jumping on the investment bandwagon, and there are multiple apartments, luxury villas, and houses to choose from. Experts opine that investing now could bring great returns in the long run and has now become a highly attractive area to invest in. Areas like Tandiarpet, Kolathur, Madhavaram, and Perambur are expected to offer as much as 12% returns in the next five years.
Connectivity
North Chennai is well connected by road and rail to all other parts of Chennai.
George Town, which is one of the central areas in North Chennai is a converging point for all major arterial roads and highways.
Main roads
· Anna Salai
· North and South Beach Road
· Poonamallee High Road
· Grand Northern Trunk Road
· Ennore High Road
Railway stations
While George Town has two terminal railway stations and North Chennai has multiple suburban stations scattered all over like Chennai Central, Chennai Beach, Chennai Park, Chennai Fort, Chennai Suburban Central and Royapuram Railway Station. There is the Broadway Bus Terminus in Koyambedu.
But the big draw today is the rapid development of the Chennai Metro Rail Project Phase II, which is soon to be completed, and will come as a welcome relief for residents of Madhavaram, Villivakkam, Perambur, and other areas.
Amenities
North Chennai was home to the British, Dutch, and in later years, the Anglo-Indian community. This rich mix of population is evident in the schools and colleges that are almost heritage buildings today.
Premier schools include:
· St. Mary’s Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School
· St. Columban’s Anglo-Indian Higher Secondary School
· Bishop Corrie Higher Secondary School
· St. Gabriel's Higher Secondary School
· Dominic Savio School
Colleges like Madras Law College, established in 1891, and currently known as Dr Ambedkar Law College, Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital established in 1938 (the hospital was in existence even earlier, in the 1800s) and Bharathi Women’s College are some of the most well-known institutions in not just Chennai but in India.
Most attractive neighbourhoods for the homebuyer
North Chennai offers options galore for homebuyers at all financial levels.
Kilpauk and Anna Nagar are the areas to go for if you are looking for luxury apartments and homes. The prices in these areas range between nothing less than Rs 9000 - 20000 per sq ft but you do get homes from well-established builders like Prestige Constructions, Chaitanya, and Khivraj Group.
Ambattur, a little away from Anna Nagar, is one of the top areas that are keenly monitored by homebuyers. Its location, amenities, and affordability are its most attractive features along with great returns on investment expected. Prices here hover around Rs 5,100 per sq ft.
Then there is Ponneri and Perambur, which are upcoming suburban areas.
Ponneri is being heavily advertised as the upcoming Smart City with the government collaborating with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Almost 22 acres have been set aside for developing industries and companies at the cost of nearly Rs 33,000 crores. With the coming of the Metro Rail and with major roads being developed further, Ponneri is a worthwhile investment option.
Once known as the Bamboo Forest, Perambur is also increasingly becoming significant for its mix commercial and residential establishments that have expanded over the last few years. With great existing connectivity and more transport options in the offing, and with all amenities in the neighbourhood, Perambur is also viewed as an excellent investment option today.
This article is contributed by RoofandFloor , part of KSL Digital Ventures Pvt. Ltd., from The Hindu Group
