Tamil Nadu Govt Is Developing Satellite Towns To Decongest Chennai

After emerging as an important industrial and IT hub in the south of India, Chennai has been attracting investors in hordes. Seizing the opportunity, the Tamil Nadu Government has now decided to utilize the land available on the outskirts of the metro to develop a satellite town.

Why the need for satellite towns?

Chennai was counted as one of the most densely populated Indian metropolitan cities with a population of 28,125 people per sq km. This made the existing infrastructure inefficient in serving the growing needs of its citizens. Also, the unavailability of open space meant that the development plans had to be put on hold till another option was available.

Another reason driving the plan for satellite towns is the Tamil Nadu Government's 'Vision 2023'. Under the scheme, plans are afoot to make the state slum-free by the year 2023. Residential requirements for families dwelling in the slums of the city are now being taken up on priority. With a budget of Rs 65,000 crore, the state government plans to provide homes and other associated facilities to all urban slum-dwelling units.

The development process

The Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) currently is in the process of acquiring 311.05 acres of land at Thirumazhisai in Thiruvallur district, located on the outskirts of Chennai. The plan is to build a township in Thirumazhisai to accommodate 12,000 residential flats at an approximate cost of Rs 2,160 crore. There are also plans to construct 44,870 tenements under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) at a cost of Rs 2,434 crore. The government plans to compensate land owners as per the market value of land it acquires.

The progress till now

• A design is being made by Anna University for an approach road from - National Highway to integrate the villages of Chembarambakkam, Kuthambakkam, Parvatharajapuram, Narasingapuram and Vellavedu. Land acquisition for the same is still a work in progress.

• The national highway is also an attractive area for affordable homes, as it boasts of the big players like Nokia, Samsung, Saint Gobain and Hyundai setting up manufacturing units here.

• Tamil Nadu's Housing and Urban Development department has confirmed that layout planning has started on 138 acres of unencumbered land in Kuthambakkam village.

• An amount to the tune of Rs 9.52 crores has been set aside for the preparation of land before the construction activities for 9,700 flats commence.

• According to the Tamil Nadu government sources, 90% of the land acquisition required for the project has been completed.

• The government also plans to acquire 12.87 acres for developing roads in the vicinity to improve connectivity and provide basic amenities.

The hurdles on the way

The biggest hurdle for the project, at least for the moment, seems to be the opposition from the farmers who own the land that the government is looking to acquire. While some are looking for higher compensation amount, others simply do not want to vacate and prefer to continue with farming. Despite the government-led acquisition, majority of the farmers have moved to courts. What is left with the government for the proposed development is 138 acre of land parcel.

With in north Chennai tipped to be the next Smart City, the Tamil Nadu government expects real estate prospects in the area to look up immensely.