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CMDA eyes fourth site for truck terminal

Friday, 12 May 2017 11:39 administrator
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The New Indian Express     12.05.2017 

CMDA eyes fourth site for truck terminal

CHENNAI: Two years after then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa announced in the Assembly that a truck terminal will be built at Ernavoor, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is still struggling to find land and has now zeroed in on a fourth site in neighbouring Tiruvallur district.

CMDA had earlier selected three locations for the `160 crore project. The first one was in Ernavoor. It was shelved as the land was being considered for developing a housing project for flood-affected families by the State housing board.

The second site was within  Sathangadu Iron and Steel Market, which was opposed by traders. Later,  planners advocated 66 acres of marsh land opposite the Sathangadu Iron and Steel Market, which was considered as a water course.

The third site now requires clearance from Public Works Department (PWD). The Tiruvallur Collector in the report has said that the opinion of PWD should be obtained after which the iron bridge on the site and waterway should be strengthened and widened to ensure free flow of water or else there is a threat of back water inundating the low-lying areas of Sathangadu.

Now, CMDA is eyeing the possibility of having it at Sadayankuppan in Tiruvallur district. Classified as ‘meikal poromboke’ (grassland), the 56.85 acres land has only 17 acres that is vacant. CMDA wants to club three acres to make it 20 acres for the project, sources said. The land is on Tiruottriyur-Ponneri Pancheti Road and has to be alienated in favour of CMDA. It is learnt that CMDA has requested the Collector for acquisition of the land.

 

CMDA to relax height curbs soon

Wednesday, 03 May 2017 06:33 administrator
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The Hindu          03.05.2017 

CMDA to relax height curbs soon

CMDA has decided to increase the floor height to 3.5 metres.File photo  

To promote better use of technology

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has decided to relax the restrictions in the height of buildings to facilitate construction of buildings with higher ceiling, better ventilation, improved aesthetics and better use of technology.

“The CMDA has made a decision to increase the floor height to 3.5 metres. The government has to make a final decision on amending the development regulations. The decision is expected shortly,” said a CMDA official.

Currently, the planning authorities permit higher ceiling only for multi-storied and special buildings, while other buildings such as institutions and industries are unable to build rooms with higher ceilings if they are not categorised as multi-storied buildings or special buildings.

“Owing to the restrictions in height, the height from floor to a ceiling cannot be more than 2.95 metres now. After the amendment of the development regulations, the height can go up to 3.5 metres, offering better ventilation,” said the official.

As per the existing provisions of the development regulations in Chennai Metropolitan Area, if the height of a building measured from the ground level is 15.25 metres, such building will not be considered a multi-storied building.

Multi-storied buildings are those exceeding four floors with at least 15.25 metres in height. Once the amendments come, buildings with a height of 17 metres would be classified as institutional buildings or industrial buildings. In case of hospitals, however, buildings not exceeding four floors with a height of 17 metres are already classified as non multi-storied buildings.

 

Bus terminus at burial site? CMDA gets ‘stop work’ notice from ASI

Tuesday, 25 April 2017 00:00 administrator
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The New Indian Express        25.04.2017  

Bus terminus at burial site? CMDA gets ‘stop work’ notice from ASI

CHENNAI: The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority’s attempts to find land for its proposed bus terminus for south-bound buses hit a new roadblock after it was realised that the Kelambakkam site lies within the protected and prohibited zone of the Archaeological Survey of India.

ASI sources told Express that they have issued a ‘stop work’ notice, asking CMDA to refrain from carrying out any construction activity in the area which is a megalithic burial site. These stone-capped burial monuments have chambers and other internment arrangements in stone.

According to an amendment to the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, in January 2010, all construction is banned within 100 metres of ASI-protected areas. Also, any construction or reconstruction or repair of a building with 200 metres of such areas requires permission from the National Monument Authority.

Though revenue officials have refused to give details on the extent of the ASI site within the 88-acre land that was identified for the bus terminus and allied development, it is learnt that a major portion forms part of the protected and prohibited zone. This is cause for concern for CMDA, who has been changing sites for bus terminus projects ever since the announcement for a southbound bus terminus by the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, after assuming office in 2011.

CMDA had been studying three options as suggested by consultant CR Narayana Rao to develop the bus terminus after the government won a legal battle earlier this year. The options call for having revenue sources such as amusement parks, a residential area, an office complex, banks, hotels, health centres, a commercial complex and convention centres, besides a parking facility for two-wheelers, cars and autos for commuters.

Sources said the plan to develop a residential complex has been dropped and possibilities are being explored for achieving connectivity between the proposed bus terminus to Urapakkam railway station and Kelambakkam road running along the northern side of the site.

Besides this, connectivity to the proposed public transit systems such as Monorail and Metro Rail is under consideration.CMDA is now evolving a design with minimum development within the protected prohibited area and larger structures to be planned in the remaining area, sources said.

 
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