The Hindu         25.11.2011

Expanded Chennai Corporation to be divided into 3 regions

The expanded Chennai Corporation will be divided into three regions -- north, south and central. The government has given an in-principle approval to divide the city covering 426 sq km into three regions.

North Chennai region would have zones of Tiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, Tondiarpet and Royapuram covering a total area of 142.07 sq km with a population of 16.5 lakh (2001 census). The head office would be located in Basin Bridge.

Central Chennai region would cover zones of Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, Ambattur, Anna Nagar, Teynampet and Kodambakkam. It would have an area of 128.31 sq km and a population of 29.31 lakh. The head office of Central Chennai region would be in Shenoy Nagar.

South Chennai region would include Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Adyar, Perungudi and Sholinganallur and have a total area of 158.84 km. The population of the region would be 10.8 lakh. The head office of the South Chennai region would be in Saidapet.

Each of the three regions would be headed by an IAS officer with executive and financial powers. Files pertaining to regular maintenance works would be approved by the officials at the regional level of the corporation.

The Corporation Commissioner would be in charge of all three regions with headquarters at the Ripon Buildings.

There would be Assistant Commissioners to carry out routine civic jobs at the zonal level.

Public can meet the officials at the regional level to redress civic issues such as encroachments, stormwater drains, birth and death certificates, said Corporation Commissioner D.Karthikeyan.