Points raised / Suggestion made

Remarks given

(1) Thiru Mohan, Member of CAG.

(a)

Appreciated the efforts taken by the CMDA in bringing out the draft Master Plan-II document, the second of its kind in our country in the recent times.

(b)

The DCR should not form part of the Master Plan and it should be different for different areas.

As per the TN T&CP Act provisions, DCR should form part of the Master Plan.  Land use zoning and DC Rules are the major tools of implementation of the Master Plan and regulation of developments. DCR forms part of the Master Plan not only in India, but also in other countries.

(c)

The higher FSI of 2.00 proposed to densify the MRTS corridor will further densify high dense areas and this aspect has to be relooked.

A detailed study – ‘Densification of MRTS  Corridor Development, 2003’, was carried out by CMDA through the consultants M/S. L&T Ramboll Ltd. Taking into account of the recommendations made in the study, this higher FSI along the short stretch of MRTS from LUZ to Velachery is proposed to be tried .

(d)

The 90 days time period announced for public consultation is not sufficient.

As per the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act, a minimum of 60 days time is to be given for obtaining objections and suggestions.  The time limit now given 93 days is more than the min. prescribed. In the case of Delhi Master Plan also 90 days time was given for submitting objections / suggestions.

(e)

There are some factual errors regarding the site identified by TNPCB for the disposal of hazardous waste. The site identified at Melakottaiyur has been dropped and a site at Gummidipoondi has been identified

The latest position in respect of location of site for hazardous wastes will be re-checked with PCB and if any change required in the report it will be made.

(f)

The aquifer recharge area has to be preserved and care should be taken to preserve the aquifer while drafting the special rules for aquifer recharge area.

The Government have lifted the ban on developments in the Aquifer Recharge area after consulting the departments concerned and directed CMDA to draft special guidelines to regulate development in these areas.  While drafting the rule, care will be taken to preserve the aquifer recharge potential.

(g)

The venue for the public consultation meeting should be announced well in advance and adequate publicity should be given to the public.

The venue for public consultation will be announced well in advance and wide publicity will also be given in the visual media also, apart from the newspapers.

(h)

There were some problems in accessing the CMDA website and to download the draft Master Plan-II.

On 27.4.2007 there was a problem in the Internet portal and hence the Master Plan-II report uploaded in the official website of CMDA was not reachable.  Now the problem has been rectified and the public can easily access the document in the official website of CMDA

(i)

Whether there is any proposal to delete the Section 113 & 113A of Tamil Nadu Town & Country Planning Act.

It is a large legal issue and it can not form part of the Master Plan

(j)

As per CRZ regulations, FSI that prevailed on the date of notification of CRZ regulation could only be applied

Developments in the Coastal Zone in Chennai Metropolitan Area are governed by the Coastal Zone Regulations notified by the Govt. of India. The words “the existing norms on FSI / FAR” in the notification under 6(2) (i) can be taken as existing on the date of issue of permission for a construction and not on the date of notification in the year 1991. There are / were areas in Tamilnadu covered by CRZ, which do not have any Master Plan / Detailed Development Plan or FSI / FAR norms and it doesn’t mean that for these areas Master Plan / Detailed Development Plan cannot be prepared proposing FSI / FAR norms, or increasing or decreasing FSI / FAR norms.

(k)

Under the provisions of the 74th Amendment to the Constitution of India, the Metropolitan Planning Committee should take up the task of preparation of the Master Plan.

As per the provisions of the Town & Country Planning Act, it is mandatory that the Development Authority shall prepare the Master Plan and under that provision, the Draft Master Plan-II has been prepared by CMDA. What is stated in the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act is the draft Development Plan and not the Master Plan.

(2) Ms. Pratibha Raman, Journalist

(a)

To solve the traffic and transportation problems in CMA, the auto fare may be subsidized as that of public Bus transport.

The Auto fare cannot be subsidized. A transport system has to be self-sustaining so as to function efficiently.

 (b)

The guidelines to regulate the Heritage buildings in CMA should be brought out.

In the Draft Master Plan-II, the special rules for regulation of Heritage Buildings have been included and a repair fund has been proposed to give monitory assistance to the owners of the Heritage buildings.

(3) Dr. A. Srivatsan, Journalist

(a)

The power point presentation made contained lot of data and the presentation material require modifications highlighting the sector-wise strategies, and proposals to accommodate the future population.

The suggestion is well taken and the Power Point presentation will be modified so that it is more understandable by the general public.

(b)

The chapter on Shelter has not spelt out how the future demands especially the EWS and LIG will be met.

In the Shelter chapter itself, it has been clearly stated that TNHB and TNSCB should concentrate on providing affordable housing for LIG and EWS, since the private sector concentrate only on HIG and MIG housing. The statement made in the Draft Master Plan-II is only a policy statement, which will be translated into action by the sectoral agencies.

(c)

The TDR for slums as done in the case of Mumbai may be tried in Chennai. 

According to TNSCB, all the non-objectionable slums had been covered either under Slum Clearance or Slum Improvement programme through which built tenements or land rights conferment had been provided. Remaining slums are either on objectionable areas or high dense ones, which can only be resettled elsewhere, away from the existing objectionable sites. Hence the experience of Mumbai may not be relevant for Chennai. However, TNSCB will be requested to examine this suggestion.

(d)

Land Bank concept for housing may be included.

Creation of ‘land banks’ for housing in these days of minimal acquisition for public purposes will be difficult. However, TNHB will be requested to examine the suggestion.

(4) A general public from Egmore (name not stated)

(a)

Tamil version should be made available, so that it is understandable even by the people who don’t know English.

CMDA is in the process of translating the whole draft Master Plan-II in Tamil.  The brief version of Master Plan-II in Tamil will be made ready in about a week. Action was also taken to publish the full version in Tamil shortly.

(5) Thiru Rajesh from CAG

(a)

In the ensuing public consultation meetings, the representatives from the sectoral agencies / departments like TNHB, TNSCB, CMWSSB, etc. shall be present.

The suggestion is taken note of.  TNHB and Chennai Corporation representatives were present during the consultation. Other agencies will be requested to depute their representatives for the ensuing public consultation.

(b)

The Master Plan and DDPs should be integrated and given in the maps.

The Master Plan and DDPs have already been integrated, and given in the city level maps.

(c)

For the disposal of the Bio Medical waste, two places have already been identified.  The same may be included in the Master Plan.

The suggestion is taken note of. In consultation with the TNPCB, the latest proposals, if any, will be incorporated appropriately.

(6) Ms. Karen Coetho, Assistant Professor, MIDS

The feedback in each consultation should be made transparent and the proceedings of each consultation meeting should be uploaded in the website.

The suggestion is taken note of and action will be taken on the same.

(7) Thiru Shankar and Thiru Arun from  Pasumai Thayagam

Slum dwellers should not be shifted and they should be allowed to continue in the same site with better facilities. Without the consent of the slum dwellers they should not be shifted from the city.

TNSCB is compelled to resettle the slum dwellers only when they can not be allowed to continue in the present site for the reasons of its objectionable environment, safety etc. (such as river side slums, slums on road lands etc.). Before shifting and providing better accommodation, TNSCB convinces the people and gets their consent.

(8) Thiru Anuthaman, Professor, Anna University

(a)

Cable car lines may be proposed by connecting the 3 hillocks near Tambaram and Guindy to solve the public transport problems.

The suggestion is taken note of and feasibility will be examined.

(b)

Water management is an important aspect and between Thiruneermalai and Tambaram, there are a number of water bodies which need to be preserved.

All the water bodies as per the revenue record had been zoned in the Draft Master Plan-II specifically as water bodies so that it can not be put to any other use.

(c)

A conservation zone may be introduced in the land use classification to preserve the water bodies and Guindy park

In the Draft Master Plan-II, water bodies, reserved forests, hillocks, swamps, etc. are zoned specifically for the same use so that they cannot be put into any other use and it could be conserved as it is.

(9) A representative from Pasumai Thayagam

(a)

He sought a clarification on tree planting in cases where the trees were cut.

The Highways Dept. ensures that wherever the trees are cut, new trees planted in the adjoining areas.  Wherever possible the Highways Dept.  re-plant the young trees.

(10) Thiru Chari

Considering the land cost in the city the minimum plot extent for the residential use may be reduced from the existing 90 sq.m to 80 sq.m

The suggestion is taken note of   and will be examined in detail.

The plot frontage may also be reduced.

Considering the side setback spaces to be left for privacy, natural lighting and ventilation, the minimum plot frontage has been kept as 6 metres.  However, the suggestion will be examined in detail

(11) Thiru Jayakumar

Whether any change is proposed in respect of private passage width in cases of special buildings

No change to the present regulation in this aspect is proposed.

(a)

The vision may be explicit so that it reaches the mass. The plans may be displayed in all the zonal offices of Corporation also.

The suggestion is taken note of.

(b)

Will some of the unauthorized constructions applied under the regularization scheme get benefited, when the Second Master Plan DCR comes into force.

A Repeal and Saving clause has been proposed in the Draft Regulation under MP-II, under which the rules which were in force at the time of completion of these buildings is applicable.

(13) Thiru Kamalakar

The vision should be explicit and the plan should be oriented more towards the needs of IT sector.

The suggestion is taken note of.

TNHB should concentrate on providing housing for MIG.

The Suggestion is taken note of.

Clarification was sought whether the road width was considered while earmarking the areas for mixed residential use zone.

The mixed residential use zone was earmarked taking into account the existing use, suitability and potential for future developments.  If a road width is less than 10m, then   special buildings will not be permitted.  What is expected in such narrow road width areas is to optimize the use; the developers will amalgamate smaller plots to larger ones, leave space for road widening, comply with the rules and redevelop the properties.  Zoning as MR will also encourage such redevelopments.