Chapter I Review of the First Master Plan
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority issued Chapter I, Review of the First Master Plan, as part of preparing the Second Master Plan for the Chennai Metropolitan Area. The chapter reviews how the First Master Plan, approved in 1976, performed in areas including land use, transport, housing, infrastructure and development regulation, rather than introducing a new land use classification or approval.
What the review covers
Chapter I, Review of the First Master Plan examines the implementation of the First Master Plan while the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority was preparing the Second Master Plan. The First Master Plan was notified in the Government Gazette on 5th August 1975 for objections and suggestions, and approved in 1976. It projected a Chennai Metropolitan Area population of 7.1 million by 2001, including 4 million in Chennai City.
Main strategies reviewed
The First Master Plan proposed:
- Dispersing population through radial corridors, three satellite towns and six urban nodes.
- Decentralising economic activity, industries, wholesale markets and transport terminals.
- Regulating land use and building activity while expanding infrastructure.
- Developing ring roads, bus and truck terminals, suburban railways and the Mass Rapid Transit System.
- Acquiring about 12,000 hectares for a large housing programme.
- Planning for water demand of 227 litres per capita per day.
- Allocating land for suitable uses and providing education, health and recreation facilities.
Findings relevant to land and property
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority found that development generally followed the Master Plan, but noted commercial and institutional uses in residential or agricultural areas and unapproved layouts in agricultural areas. It also recorded comprehensive land reclassifications where many requests arose, including residential and industrial zoning along parts of Poonamallee By-pass Road and Rajiv Gandhi Salai.
Development regulations were described as an important control over development in the Chennai Metropolitan Area. However, unauthorised and deviated construction had occurred because of legal loopholes and poor enforcement. Regularisation schemes announced between 1999 and 2002 had not produced the intended results.
Detailed Development Plans had been prepared for 56 planning units covering about 60 per cent of Chennai City. Remaining areas were not covered for reasons including unavailable subdivision level land data and ongoing Revenue Department resurveys.
Implementation results
The review records completed or partly completed projects, including the Inner Ring Road, sections of the Intermediate Ring Road, road widening, suburban railway electrification, housing developments and the shifting of markets and bus terminals to Koyambedu. It also identifies delayed or incomplete work, including the Outer Ring Road, some transport terminals, sewage treatment capacity and the targeted level of water supply.
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Common questions
Does Chapter I, Review of the First Master Plan change my property's land use?
The chapter reviews past planning and implementation. It does not state that it introduces a new land use classification for any individual property.
Did development generally follow the First Master Plan?
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority states that development generally followed the Master Plan, with some commercial and institutional uses in residential or agricultural areas and some unapproved layouts in agricultural areas.
Were all parts of Chennai City covered by Detailed Development Plans?
No. Detailed Development Plans were prepared for 56 planning units covering about 60 per cent of Chennai City, while the remaining area was not covered for reasons including unavailable detailed land data and ongoing resurveys.
What does the review say about unauthorised buildings?
The review records numerous unauthorised or deviated developments caused by legal loopholes and poor enforcement. It also says the regularisation schemes announced between 1999 and 2002 did not achieve the desired results.
