Date:31/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/31/stories/2008083156800100.htm

Front Page

Cabinet gives nod for second master plan

A. Srivathsan

CHENNAI: The long-awaited second master plan for Chennai was approved by the Cabinet on Saturday.

According to a government press release, it was decided to approve the plan as the proposals would benefit all sections of the city.

The plan proposals are aimed at making Chennai a prime metropolis, which will be more liveable, economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable and will have better assets for the future generations.

Government sources say that some changes have been made to the draft plan that was circulated for public opinion.

The sources also say that minor changes have been made to Floor Space Index (FSI). In order to support investment in healthcare, higher FSI for hospital buildings has been sanctioned.

The new master plan envisions the growth of city till 2026. It has proposals that could accommodate a population of 126 lakhs by 2026 in the Chennai Metropolitan area.

The date for notifying the new master plan and the implementation of new building rules will be announced on Monday.

The Chennai first master plan was published in 1975. The second draft master plan was made public in April 2007. The suggestions made by the public and experts were cleared in November 2007 and the plan was submitted for final approval.

Since then the government has been deliberating on the various aspects of the plan and in particular the building rules. Many projects had been put on hold anticipating relaxation of building rules and higher FSI.