Chennai: Nearly all stakeholders, who represented welfare associations and environmental organisations, at the public hearing on Monday, unequivocally opposed the government decision to expand Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) and expressed apprehension over the loss of eco-system.
Although housing secretary S. Krishnan, in his opening remarks, assured that the intent of the government is not the total urbanization, the public opined that the move would inflict an irreversible impact on water bodies and catchment areas of the Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts.
“Metropolitan cities like Delhi, Bengaluru and others have two authorities such as metropolitan region and metropolitan area. The government should drop the expansion of metropolitan area and should form metropolitan region to ensure the protection of eco-system,” professor K.P. Subramanian said in the meeting.
Following two such public hearings in Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) and the housing department had organised the third one in Ripon Buildings to gather suggestions on the 7.5-fold expansion of CMDA jurisdiction to 8,878 square km from the current 1,189 square km.
Meanwhile, some participants also alleged ulterior motives behind the expansion. “The move completely looks like a political decision. It would only increase corruption,” Jayaram Venkatesh of Arappor Iyakkam said.
As majority of the participants expressed apprehension over loss of eco-system and agricultural land, a few also pointed out the inability of CMDA in providing sustainable development in Chennai.
Tara Murali of Consumer Action Group said CMDA had failed to provide proper and inclusive planning. “CMDA has no credibility. How could CMDA be given the responsibility?” she questioned.
Some stakeholders also referred to the 2015 floods and severe drought in 2016 and attributed the predicament to the poor urban planning and violation of rules. At the same time, S. Krishnan also said that the department would consider 74th amendment of the Constitution and said that legal aspects would be discussed before implementation.
The amendment made in 1992 bars CMDA from implementing proposals. “The expansion will consider special planning aspects only, not the urbanization. Land use will be derived from expanding CMA,” Krishnan said.
