More than four years after the Second Master Plan for Chennai
Metropolitan Area (CMA) came into force, the Chennai Metropolitan
Development Authority (CMDA) is yet to complete the detailed development
plans (DDP) for five peri-urban areas.

The delay in preparation
of detailed development plans for Villivakkam, Velachery, Ambattur,
Nazarethpet and Perumbakam, with the objective of providing land use as
well as improvement of infrastructure in these areas, has been a cause
of concern.

This also comes in the wake of the Directorate of Town
and Country Planning (DTCP), which is functioning with only 42 per cent
of staff, preparing 47 DDPs within two years.

Sources told
Express that the DDP for Villivakkam was nearing completion. The
ownership details and maps of the blocks had been computerised, besides
the existing land use map prepared and infrastructure facilities
documented. “The DDP is likely to be notified and forwarded to the
government soon,” sources added.

Interestingly, the CMDA seems to
have dropped the idea of preparing DDP for Ambattur as it feels the area
is already developed. Through DDP, only the existing activities will be
recognised and regulated.

Meanwhile, preparation of the detailed
plan for Velachery and Nazarathpet is under progress, while the DDP for
Perumbakam is yet to begin.

Sources said the Second Master Plan for CMA came into effect on September 2, 2008.

The
delay is also being attributed to excess staff in units, which are
alleged to be more ‘plum units’ monetarily. In the area plans unit, the
CMDA has two chief planners, including one who has been diverted from
another unit, besides an additional deputy planner against the
prescribed strength sanctioned by the authority.