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Chennai Master Plan Faces Six-Month Delay
17 Jul
Summary
- Chennai's Third Master Plan is delayed by at least six months.
- Inter-departmental consultations and statutory procedures are ongoing.
- CMA expansion requires rule amendments for planning permission.
The finalization of Chennai's Third Master Plan (TMP) for 2026-47 is now expected to take at least six months due to ongoing inter-departmental consultations and statutory procedures. The draft plan, initially slated for release in January 2026, is currently undergoing data validation and review by various government departments.
Discussions are actively underway with key bodies like the Greater Chennai Corporation and the Water Supply and Sewerage Board. Following these consultations, the draft will be submitted to the State government for clearance before a mandatory two-month public review period, where objections and suggestions will be gathered.
Environmental planning, including conservation of lakes and green spaces, is a key component of the TMP. The proposed expansion of the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) to over 5,900 sq.km has also introduced complexities, as rule amendments are required before the CMDA can issue planning permissions in newly added areas.
This expansion, however, presents opportunities for master planning in undeveloped regions. The CMDA aims to incorporate wider roads, zoning regulations, and open space reservations in the expanded zone, fostering planned development over the next two decades.
