TN departments to chalk out plans for Rs 1,000 crore development of North Chennai

 
C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:
After making an announcement of Rs. 1,000 crore to develop North Chennai over the next three years in the state assembly, the state government is planning to hold a meeting on July 28 to decide on projects on the 10 constituencies.

Sources revealed that the government has asked 11 departments to identify gaps in infrastructure including water supply, infrastructure, garbage removal, street management, school education, transport, sports among others.

The initiative, named 'Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam,' aims to address the infrastructure deficit and gaps in development in the northern parts of the city. The scheme will be implemented by converging the funds of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority with ongoing schemes.

North Chennai, the origin of the city when the East India Company set up its base, has been left out of the city's growth story due to heavy congestion and pollution. However, experts believe that this investment in improving infrastructure and creating employment hubs along with residential areas and good connectivity will lead to more inclusive and balanced development in the future.

The North Chennai has been delineated based on the locality, demography with an area of 170 square kilometers. It has a population of 26.5 lakh. The area covers Tiruvottiyur, Madhavaram, Kolathur, Perambur, R K Nagar, Royapuram, Harbour, Thiru-vi-ka Nagar, Villivakkam and Egmore constituencies.

"The 11 departments have been asked to identify gaps which come under their jurisdiction andf propose a shelf of suitable projectsalong with rough cost estimate," sources said.

Initially, in 2018, a 'Special plan for the development of backward areas of North Chennai’ was planned with a consultant hired by the planning department, who had drafted a report. The areas which are being targeted under the project include Madhavaram, Manali, Thiruvottiyur, Tondiarpet and Royapuram zones. The study brought out strategies to make North Chennai more attractive for investment and focus was to reduce pollution in the areas. At that time, Adi Dravidar Department, Chennai Metro water, Slum Clearance Board, Greater Chennai Corporation and various other departments were stakeholders in the development plan for North Chennai. However, the previous government did not implement the project.