Chennai Metro Rail Policy for issuing No Objection Certificate for any Development/ Construction inside 'Metro Protection Zone'

What the policy governs

The Chennai Metro Rail Policy for issuing No Objection Certificates applies to development and construction within defined distances of Chennai Metro Rail Limited structures or alignments. Its purpose is to ensure that development does not affect existing metro structures or interfere with proposed metro alignments.

The policy separately covers completed corridors and corridors that are proposed or under implementation. Any owner, developer or professional planning work near a metro alignment should check whether the property falls within a Metro Protection Zone.

Protection zones for completed corridors

For completed underground sections, the Metro Protection Zone extends 11 metres on either side from the end of the underground structure.

• Zone I includes the area above the underground structure and 3.5 metres on either side of its edge.
• Zone II covers the remaining 7.5 metres on either side of Zone I.
• Zone I prohibits pile or deep foundations, anchoring, bore wells, bore holes, dredging and explosives.
• Basement excavation, utilities and underground passageways are restricted in Zone I.
• Pressure at tunnel top level must not exceed 60 KPa where development falls within Zone I.
• Pile foundations, excavations, bore wells and bore holes are restricted in Zone II.

For completed at grade or elevated sections, the protection zone extends 5 metres from each edge of the Chennai Metro Rail Limited structure. Zone I covers the first 2 metres and Zone II the remaining 3 metres. Excavation, construction, lifting equipment, utilities, scaffolding, storage and explosives are prohibited in Zone I. Utilities, anchor drilling, vibration and controlled blasting are restricted in Zone II.

Restricted activities may be permitted only after detailed analysis and safety consideration by Chennai Metro Rail Limited.

Proposed or developing corridors

For proposed or under implementation corridors, whether elevated or underground, the Metro Protection Zone extends 50 metres on either side of the centre line of the Chennai Metro Rail Limited alignment.

Application and decision process

Applications must include:

• A land plan.
• A design report covering the proposed structure and foundation, with base pressure calculations.
• Structural details and drawings.
• Other statutory documents supporting the proposal.

The Joint General Manager (Architecture), Chennai Metro Rail Limited receives applications from approval authorities, including the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, municipal corporations and panchayat unions, either directly or through the Single Window Portal. Chennai Metro Rail Limited verifies the property location, requests additional information if needed, completes technical review and communicates approval or rejection to the approval authority.

The covering letter states that issuance takes 30 working days after receipt with all particulars. The attached policy states that a reply will be sent within 30 days after all necessary documents are received.