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NT Bureau
Chennai, Apr 12:

        Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) published a notice in the State gazette yesterday to inform the public that the draft version of the Second Master Plan may be inspected free of cost during office hours at the CMDA building.

        According to a release from the CMDA, the copies of the Master Plan - II were also available for sale at a price of Rs 250. The contents of the draft plan could also be accessed through the official website: www.cmdachennai.org and they could be can be downloaded free of cost. A short version of Master Plan - II would also be made available in the website in two day's time.

        Any person affected or interested in Master Plan II could send in their suggestions in writings or represent in person to Md Nasimuddin, member secretary, CMDA on or before 12 July 2007. The estimated growth of population to 40 lakh for the city and 71 lakh for the Chennai Metro Area by the year 2001 as per the First Master Plan have been nearly achieved. For, according to 2001 census, the actuals were 43.43 lakh for the city and 70.41 lakh for the CMA. The difference of about 3 lakh in respect of the city may be due to the enlargement of the limits of Corporation area during 1978-79, the release said.

        It is estimated the city population would grow to 5.9 million and that of CMA's to 1.25 million by 2026. The density of city population was 247 persons per hectare and was expected to reach 335 by 2026. The population density in Chennai was one of the highest in the world. The existing land use map was updated based on the CARTOSAT imageries obtained from remote sensing satellites in 2006. A process of rapid survey was carried out in addition to complete the survey on land-use in CMA.

        CMDA has adopted 'mixed-zoning' concept for regulations of land-use and its classifications based on population and the type of industrial activity. 'Grouping the conforming activities together and segregating the conflicting activities are the criteria followed in land use zoning and listing the activities permissible in a land use zone,' the release said.

        To accommodate enterprises and strengthen the economic base of the metropolis, sufficient areas have been earmarked for industrial purposes. The Second Master Plan would support the growth of IT and ITeS sectors along the IT corridor in South which was poised to expand given its locational advantages.

        In order to optimally use the scarce land without deviating from Town Planning objectives, SMP had examined and revised Development Control Rules (DCR) to usher in major changes. In the draft SMP, multistoreyed buildings would be permitted in the rest of CMA also, excluding the Island Grounds, approved lay-outs, aquifer recharge area and Red Hills catchment area. Some of the major changes in the DCR were: the definition of special buildings was altered to those exceeding six floors; proposing higher FSI (floor space index) of 2.00 for those areas notified under the Mass Rapid Transit System between Luz, Mylapore and Velachery; providing for regulation of heritage buildings; inclusion of Coastal Zone Regulations notified by the Centre; and enlarging the list of spaces within buildings and structures that were exempted from FSI and plot coverage. The revised DCR has proposed a new parking standard based on a recent study and would now bring in separate set of parking rules for areas along transit corridors.

        'Public or any civic group can avail the draft copies of Master Plan II at our office for a price of Rs 250. Also, they can log on to www.cmdachennai.org to browse the contents and send in their suggestions. We will also be organising meetings at the zonal level to elicit the views of the larger public and civic society,' informs a top official at the Master Plan division of the CMDA.