The debate on the strengths and weaknesses of the Second Master Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area 2026 notwithstanding, the adoption of a master plan for the city is cause for some cheer even if it comes more than three decades after the first master plan. The second plan itself has been in the pipeline for over a decade and the draft under debate since last year before the State Government decided to formally adopt it for implementation on August 30 — that was the easy part.

The three-volume plan covers a range of issues: regulations for buildings for the construction industry to follow, land use, infrastructure, industry, environment conservation and delivery of services and amenities to its citizens. It charts out the plans for the city up to 2026 to make Chennai a modern city of international standards. During this time the population is expected to touch 1.25 crore from the present 73 lakh and this would mean an increasing demand for resources, which are stretched even now.

One major area of focus has been the provision of housing for the economically weaker section and the lower income group, which together constitute about two-thirds of the demand for housing. According to statistics, about 65 per cent of the demand for housing is from the economically weaker section — 30 per cent — and the low-income group 35 per cent. Experts feel the plan falls short of expectations in outlining a plan for housing for the majority.

With the rising prices of land and costs of construction, there is no way housing costs can be brought within reach of the poor without adequate support from the Government. But the master plan seeks to address this issue partly by improving supply and making the private sector set aside a portion of the development for the economically weaker section.

The Development Control Rules that regulate construction provide for increased built-up area by allowing a higher FSI for small dwelling units of up to 480 sq.ft. The DCR has made it mandatory for developers to set aside 10 per cent of the project area of more than one hectare to the economically weaker section. But this does not address the issue of bringing the development within reach of the poor. The built-up space in these projects is not going to be any the cheaper — the cost of construction will be high and affordability would still be a question. Also, how fair is it on the part of the Government to expect the private sector to meet the responsibility that it needs to take upon itself, ask developers.

The Government should look at ways to bring down costs, specifically targeting projects for the economically weaker section and the lower income group. Land available with the Government has to be made available for such housing projects.

The figures for housing demand do not even cover those living in slums who may want a house but simply do not have the means to own one, says the plan.

These would have to be supported through Government schemes. The statistics indicate that over 1.1 lakh families live in the slums. The Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board, the Government agency to provide housing to the slum dwellers, has not been able to meet this challenge. Over the last 35 years it has constructed 72,000 tenements, about 2,000 a year. The Government hopes to meet the demand of about 25 per cent of this through existing schemes.

Another area of concern is delay in implementing the various projects. If Chennai is to be what it envisages to be in 2026, then a time-bound delivery of the projects — whether it is increasing the supply of built-up space, increasing the capacity of roads to handle the growing traffic, setting up public transportation projects… — is essential.

Look at any of the major projects in Chennai, point out experts, whether it is the IT corridor, the grade separators and bridges coming up to manage the traffic, the airport expansion plans, strengthening the coastal road to the north of Chennai — they are all several years behind schedule. When it comes to building construction, the paper work involved in plan approvals can take up to two years for processing.

Chennai is starting with a handicap — whether it is public transportation, electricity, or water supply — the available capacity is far short of what is needed. For now, as its citizens wake up each morning to a two-hour power cut because of shortage of power generation capacity, the world class city of 2026 seems a long way off.

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