Elevating Chennai: Inside the Bold Vision of the Third Master Plan

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is currently formulating its Third Master Plan (TMP), aimed at promoting compact, vertical urban growth and upgrading infrastructure across the 1,189 sq. km Chennai Metropolitan Area.

A key proposal under the plan is the increase of Floor Space Index (FSI) in strategically important zones—including metro corridors, commercial hubs, entertainment districts, and industrial belts. This measure is designed to encourage vertical development, enabling higher-density housing, improved access to workplaces, and better integration with public transport systems.

To support this intensified development, the TMP prioritizes the modernisation of underground infrastructure, such as sewage networks, water supply systems, and urban roads, ensuring they can accommodate the growing population and usage demand.

A major focus area is the in-situ redevelopment of slum settlements, which house nearly 40% of Chennai’s population. “Relocating these communities to distant locations disrupts their social fabric and compromises their dignity,” a CMDA official explained, reinforcing the need for community-sensitive planning.

Urban planner K. P. Subramanian has also recommended simplifying zoning regulations to reduce bureaucratic delays, improve development flexibility, and maintain a strong emphasis on decentralised and coordinated urban planning.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.