The CMDA has proposed splitting Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) into three parts.
Story so far: The previous AIADMK government planned to increase the CMA from 1,189 to 8,878 sq km. It would’ve made Chennai the second-largest city in India. The current DMK government has other ideas. It wants to extend the city’s area up to 5,904 sq km. Among the areas that’ll be covered are Gummidipoondi, Ponneri, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu.
- The CMA will be split into three – Chennai Metropolitan Area Central with the core city areas, Chennai Metropolitan Area North, and Chennai Metropolitan Area South.
- CMA North will have 8 taluks covering 2,908 sq km. CMA south will extend over 1,809 sq km. The proposed Third Master Plan won’t cover the extended areas. They’ll have a dedicated development plan.
Concerns: Some aren’t convinced about the need for expansion, given some of the projects in the first two master plans didn’t materialise. This new plan could lead to urban sprawl and indiscriminate conversion of fertile agricultural lands.