New Town Development Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Planning Area (Preparation, Publication and Sanction) Rules, 2022
The Housing and Urban Development (UD1) Department issued Government Order (Ms.) No. 150 dated 8 August 2022, notifying rules made by the Governor of Tamil Nadu for preparing, publishing and approving New Town Development Plans in the Chennai Metropolitan Planning Area. The rules define the responsibilities of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, provide opportunities for objections and suggestions, and set timelines for government review and approval.
What the rules govern
The New Town Development Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Planning Area (Preparation, Publication and Sanction) Rules, 2022 establish the process for planning an area declared as a New Town Planning Area. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is responsible for preparing the required maps and development plan, consulting local authorities, publishing notice, considering public responses and submitting the plan to the Government.
The document establishes a planning procedure. It does not identify individual properties or contain a completed or approved New Town Development Plan.
Mapping and plan preparation
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority must prepare or adopt a land and building use map within twelve months after declaration of the new town site, unless the Government permits more time. The map must:
- Cover the whole New Town Area and provide more detailed maps for divisions, wards or blocks.
- Show residential, commercial, industrial, public and semi-public, transport, utility, recreation, agricultural, non-urban and other uses.
- Include undeveloped areas, water bodies, waste lands and rocky lands.
- Be prepared on a Geographical Information System or another geo-referenced digital platform.
The development plan must be prepared after consulting local authorities. A local authority has sixty days from receiving an intimation to send suggestions.
Matters the plan may cover
A New Town Development Plan may include:
- Transit-oriented development, pedestrian and cycling facilities.
- Road grids, land pooling schemes and redevelopment of older areas.
- Climate resilience, drainage, flood and hazard mapping, disaster management and protection of ecologically sensitive areas.
- Tourism, waterfront development, water resources and solid waste management.
- Heritage conservation and access to housing, transport, economic opportunities and community facilities.
- Coordination of land use with infrastructure, public health, safety, energy and education.
Public participation and approval
After Government consent for publication, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority must publish a notice within fifteen days. Any affected or interested person may submit written objections or suggestions within sixty days from publication.
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority must consider the responses and give a reasonable opportunity to be heard to people and government representatives who request it. The Authority may approve the plan with or without modifications, after which it is submitted to the Government. The Government may approve it, approve it with modifications, return it for changes or require a fresh plan.
Why it matters to property owners
Owners, buyers and professionals dealing with land in a declared New Town Area should check published notices and the relevant maps. The objection period provides an opportunity to raise concerns about proposed land use, infrastructure or other planning provisions affecting a property.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Do these rules place my property inside a New Town Area?
The document defines a New Town Area as an area declared to be a New Town Planning Area, but it does not list individual properties or boundaries.
Can a property owner object to a proposed New Town Development Plan?
Yes. Any affected or interested person may submit written objections or suggestions within sixty days from publication of the notice.
Will someone who files an objection get a hearing?
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority must provide a reasonable opportunity to be heard to a person who submitted a request to be heard.
Who gives final approval to a New Town Development Plan?
The Government considers the plan after submission by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. It may approve the plan, approve it with modifications, return it for changes or direct preparation of a fresh plan.
