Chennai Metropolitan City to be trifurcated; will now cover 5904 sq km area

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CHENNAI, Tamil Nadu: The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is planning to trifurcate the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) into North, South and Central CMA. Right now, the city covers around 1,189 square (sq) km of area which will be increased to 5,904 sq km.

Previously, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government was planning to increase the area of CMA from 1,189 sq km to 8,877 sq km, which would have made it the second largest city in India.

However, the current Government of Tamil Nadu is planning to increase the area up to 5,904 sq km only. A review meeting for the consideration of this proposed restructuring plan, which was supposed to take place on Tuesday, September 27, was postponed. Now the meeting will take place after the Navratri holidays.

However, the proposed third master plan will not cover the extended areas. There will be separate regional plans for these areas. As per the plan, the CMA North will comprise of eight talukas, Gummidipoondi, Uthukottai, Ponneri, Thiruvallur, Sriperumbudur and portions of Arakonnam, Poonamallee, Tirutanni. The North CMA will have an area of 2,908 sq km, while the South CMA will cover an area of 1,809 sq km, and it will comprise of Wallajabad, Kanchipuram, Thirukkazhukkundram, Thirupporur, Chengalpattu, and portions of Kundrathur and Vandalur. There will be separate Zonal Offices for both the North and South CMA.