Population density highest in Chennai: 247 people per hectare

Chennai, Oct 31 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Information Minister and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) Chairman Parithi Ilamvazhuthi today said Chennai city has one of the highest population densities in the world.

Inaugurating a seminar on ''Second Master Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area 2026 -- Avenues and Opportunities'' here, he said the population density of the city was 247 people per hectare.

''This is expected to increase to 333 people per hectare in 2026'', he said, adding, that given the growing trend, the Chennai Metropolitan area would become a Mega city by 2011.

Observing that the Second Master plan unveiled last month seeks to allocate spaces for various uses and to accommodate the needs of the future population through land use zoning, Mr Ilamvazuthi said the spatial strategy proposed in the Master Plan has recommended continuation of the dispersal of the population and decongestion measures proposed in the first plan.

He said under the Second Master plan, the transport corridors would get intensified developments and the zoning has been proposed in such a way to promote developments.

With a view to optimum utilisation of the land, the Minister said the Master Plan encourages development of high rise and multi-storeyed buildings in the entire metropolis.

''Since Chennai city had become a hub for manufacturing sector by attracting several IT and Automobile industries, the Master Plan has focussed on improving infrastructure facilities and to promote industrial development'', he added.

He said the Master Plan has recommended a slew of investments for small scale industries which had considerable avenues for employment.

Creation of a Unified Metropolitan transport authority, inter-modal transfer facilities, good transportation network, adequate parking facilities and strengthening of the public transport system to cope with future travel demand were the highlights of the Second Master plan, which has come out with special rules for the shelter sector, besides recommending setting up of monitoring and review committes for its implementation, the Minister said.

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