Latest news with #CMDA
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
CMDA's 70cr bus termini revamp delayed in five areas
Chennai: For nearly two years, commuters in north Chennai have been forced to wait for buses under open skies, exposed to the harsh sun and sudden downpours, as key termini remain without basic amenities. Bus termini at Tondiarpet, Kaviyarasu Kannadasan Nagar, Kolathur Periyar Nagar, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, and Mullai Nagar — serving thousands of workers, students, and senior citizens — have no shelters, restrooms, or seating. In 2023, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) launched a 70-crore project under the 'Vadachennai Valarchi Thittam' to modernize these depots, promising facilities such as toilets, CCTV surveillance, parking bays, and better platforms by March 2025. But with no signs of completion and no temporary arrangements in place, the promise is seen by many as broken. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai "We need shelters now, not later," said M Altaf, a resident of Vyasarpadi. "During the rainy season, we have to stand on flooded roads, and in summer, there's no shade. Students miss classes, and senior citizens have no place to sit." The delay is not only affecting passengers but also the city traffic. With no depot space available, Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses are parked along arterial stretches such as Thiruvottiyur High Road, worsening congestion, particularly near the delayed Ezhil Nagar road-over bridge. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Blindly Following Stock Tips? Here's A Better Way Teji Mandi Buy Now Undo "We don't park on the roads by choice," said an MTC official. "We are waiting to take over the new depots, but CMDA must first finish the work first. " Despite repeated requests, CMDA has not provided a clear timeline, only stating that "work is ongoing". Several of the old depots would flood during the monsoons, with water levels rising up to three feet. Commuters say the new depots should include proper drainage to avoid similar issues. T K Shanmugam, president of the North Chennai Residents Welfare Association, said, "We welcome new infrastructure, but people here also want more direct routes to places such as T Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, and Navalur. Even a small library would help students waiting for buses."
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
New blueprint for satellite towns
Chennai: Once considered little more than sleepy suburbs, Thirumazhisai and Mamallapuram are now central to CMDA's plans as they have rolled out a 20-year roadmap to transform these satellite towns into thriving hubs for wellness, tourism, and urban growth. To manage the city's expansion, CMDA has launched new town development strategies for the suburbs, from 2025 to 2045. The plan for Thirumazhisai spans 34.10sqkm across 17 villages in Tiruvallur district. With access to NH-48, Outer Ring Road, a proposed metro corridor, and the upcoming Kuthambakkam bus terminus, the area is set to become a high-density, mixed-use, transit-oriented hub. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai The 123.48sqkm Mamallapuram plan, spread across 25 villages, focuses on blending tourism, heritage, and modern infrastructure. Both plans include affordable housing, last-mile connectivity, climate resilience, and heritage conservation. Officials said citizen participation is central to the process. "At Mamallapuram, we are planning to develop an entertainment and hospitality zone. The plan includes hotels under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, water sports, vibrant community spaces, and amenities aimed at transforming the historic town into a round-the-clock coastal destination. The initiative will work well with the upcoming Kalaignar convention centre on East Coast Road, making Mamallapuram a key hub for tourism and business events," a CMDA official said. At Thirumazhisai, CMDA plans a wellness zone focused on traditional systems of medicine including ayurveda, siddha, and unani. "Its location near major highways makes it suitable for such a project. It will generate around 25,000 jobs," a senior CMDA official said. Basheer Ahmed, committee member, Outbound Travel Association of India, said the wellness initiative could draw foriegn tourists going to Kerala. "ECR has huge potential. Water sports must be encourged. This will bring in good revenue," he said. CMDA's aim is to decongest Chennai, create jobs and enable sustainable urban expansion
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
CMDA plans two sponge parks in Chennai
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is planning to develop sponge parks at Chennai Corporation Park in Thoraipakkam and Elango Nagar playground in Padi at a total cost of ₹9.45 crore to manage rainwater, recharge groundwater, and reduce flooding. This plan follows the Tamil Nadu Budget for 2025–26, in which Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu announced that seven climate-resilient sponge parks would be established across the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) at an estimated cost of ₹88 crore. The identified sites at Thoraipakkam and Padi fall under the Greater Chennai Corporation. Necessary administrative approvals were obtained to enable CMDA to take up the work, officials said. The existing structure of the parks would be retrofitted under the sponge park model. Each sponge park will include a central pond-like structure about three feet deep, designed to store rainwater collected through an underground pipe network. Once the surrounding groundwater table reaches saturation, excess rainwater will be directed into the stormwater drainage system. The sponge parks are useful in urban areas experiencing groundwater depletion and can contribute to long-term water resilience and climate adaptation in the city, the officials said.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Soon, wait in AC bus shelters at four locations
Chennai: Weary commuters will get air-conditioned bus shelters at four locations in the city: Kolathur, Royapuram, Wall Tax Road, and Perambur. Tenders have been floated by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA)to execute the 8 crore project. Announced during the Budget session of the state assembly, the shelters will have 78 seats each at Kolathur, Royapuram, and Wall Tax Road, and 54 seats at Perambur. Toilets for men and women and a borewell for water supply will also be provided. The built-up area ranges from 1,265sqft. at Perambur to 1,754sqft. at the other three locations. CMDA has set a four-month timeline for completion from the date of handing over the site to the contractor. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai "With Chennai's summers, air-conditioned bus stops will significantly improve the daily experience for commuters. When public spaces are thoughtfully designed, people are more likely to use public transport. This will have a big impact on sustainable mobility," said a senior CMDA official. While the move has drawn praise, commuters say it's incomplete without restoring air-conditioned bus services. "I take the bus to Royapuram every day. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo An AC shelter is welcome, but we hardly see AC buses anymore. Earlier, services ran from Perambur to Besant Nagar, Avadi to Tambaram — even from Central to Thiruvanmiyur. The city needs them back," said Uday Kumar, a commuter. "The key challenge will be maintenance. Without proper upkeep and commuter discipline the facilities may not last. The city's first air-conditioned bus stop in Asargana, opposite Alandur Metro station, is now defunct. It was opened to the public in 2015 and was built for 1.25 crore," said M Somasundaram, member of a voluntary consumer group for MTC.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
George Town redevelopment plan of CMDA on hold
The George Town Local Area Plan (LAP), launched by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (Amrut), has reportedly hit a roadblock due to land acquisition hurdles, according to official sources. 'The concept of a Local Area Plan is similar to urban renewal,' said K. P. Subramanian, retired Professor of Urban Engineering, Anna University. 'George Town is an ideal candidate due to its narrow roads, out-dated land use pattern, inadequate basic amenities, and non-high- buildings not commensurating with the increasing land value. But current status of this plan is unknown,' he added. The LAP was proposed to ease congestion, structural dilapidation, outdated land use patterns, narrow streets, and inadequate infrastructure. When asked about the current status, senior authorities with the State government said that there has been resistance from long-term residents and traders to redeveloping George Town — one of Chennai's oldest and densest quarters — and that there may be a need for another round of consultations. Notably, initial talks with locals were held in 2022. Documents on the CMDA website show that the LAP was conceived as early as 2006. Minutes of the 215th and 217th CMDA Authority Meetings, both held in 2006 show there was progress — including consultations with stakeholder groups such as the Gunny Bag Merchants Association and iron and steel goods traders — and allocation of funds, though without specifying how much, from the Planning and Development Fund to support LAP preparation. A Terms of Reference (ToR) document dated December 13, 2023 detailed the methodology, scope, and deliverables for in-house preparation of LAPs, aimed at improving land use, infrastructure, and urban form in high-pressure zones. As per this ToR, LAP project was to begin with a GIS-based base map, followed by field surveys on land use, building conditions, infrastructure, and transport. A vision statement was to be developed through stakeholder consultations, leading to proposals on zoning, roads, infrastructure, mobility, and open spaces, along with cost estimates and an implementation strategy. The focus on this project emerged after the CMDA initiated consultations to redevelop 12 kilometers of Anna Salai and 10 kilometers of Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) under an LAP project. According to a document shared by the CMDA, the LAP will focus on a 12.5-kilometre stretch between Omandurar Government Estate Junction and Kathipara Junction along Anna Salai and a 10 km stretch from SRP Tools Junction to Sholinganallur along OMR.
