After Second Master Plan, CMDA yet to prepare a single detailed development plan for urban areas

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

More than four years after the Second Master Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area came into being, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority has yet to complete the detailed development plans (DDP) of five peri-urban areas.

The delay in the preparation of detailed development plans for Villivakkam, Velachery, Ambattur, Nazarethpet and Perumbakam, with the objective of providing land uses as well as improvement of infrastructure in these areas, has been a cause of concern for town planners.

This also comes in the wake of DTCP, which is functioning with only 42 per cent of staff, preparing 47 detailed development plans within two years. Interestingly, it is believed CMDA is diverting surplus officials in some units against those sanctioned by the authority, which has been one of the cause of the delay. 

Sources told Express that till now detailed development plan for Villivakam is nearing completion. The ownership details and blocks maps have been computerized besides existing land use map prepared and the existing infrastructure facilities documented. “The DDP is likely to be notified and forwarded to government soon,” sources added.

Interestingly, CMDA is likely to have dropped the idea of preparing detailed development plan for Ambattur as it feels the area is already developed and through DDP only the existing activities will be recognized and regulated. Meanwhile, the preparation of detailed plan for Velachery and Nazarathpet is under progress while the DDP for Perumbakam has yet to begin.

Sources said the Second Master Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area came into being on September 2, 2008 after which CMDA initiated action to prepared DDPs for areas in CMA in a phased manner but surprisingly, not a single DDP has been prepared in the last four years.

The delay is also being attributed to excess staff in some of the units, which is alleged to be more plum units monetarily. For example in area plans unit, CMDA has two chief planners, including one who has been diverted from another unit besides an additional deputy planner against the prescribed strength sanctioned by the authority.

Interestingly, in enforcement section, which has always been a cause of concern over lack of manpower, two posts are lying vacant as it is believed that two officials have been diverted to other units. Surprisingly, in Review Team and Appeal unit, where as per the sanctioned strength only a deputy planner has to be there, it is believed a senior planner has been diverted to the unit above him.

Sources said the diversion of manpower to other units have made some of the units weak with few staff while some of the units have surplus staff. This also highlights the concern of real estate sector, who claim clearances for projects have been delayed.

Surprisingly, CMDA is planning to recruit 54 temporary staff on consolidated wages to prepare DDPs. Sources say the need of the hour is to recruit permanent staff otherwise this will result in a similar crisis in DTCP. Planners feel with the recruitment of temporary staff, there will be lack of accountability in the department