6 days ago
New blueprint for satellite towns
Chennai: Once considered little more than sleepy suburbs, Thirumazhisai and Mamallapuram are now central to CMDA's plans as they have rolled out a 20-year roadmap to transform these satellite towns into thriving hubs for wellness, tourism, and urban growth.
To manage the city's expansion, CMDA has launched new town development strategies for the suburbs, from 2025 to 2045. The plan for Thirumazhisai spans 34.10sqkm across 17 villages in Tiruvallur district.
With access to NH-48, Outer Ring Road, a proposed metro corridor, and the upcoming Kuthambakkam bus terminus, the area is set to become a high-density, mixed-use, transit-oriented hub.
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The 123.48sqkm Mamallapuram plan, spread across 25 villages, focuses on blending tourism, heritage, and modern infrastructure.
Both plans include affordable housing, last-mile connectivity, climate resilience, and heritage conservation. Officials said citizen participation is central to the process.
"At Mamallapuram, we are planning to develop an entertainment and hospitality zone. The plan includes hotels under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, water sports, vibrant community spaces, and amenities aimed at transforming the historic town into a round-the-clock coastal destination.
The initiative will work well with the upcoming Kalaignar convention centre on East Coast Road, making Mamallapuram a key hub for tourism and business events," a CMDA official said.
At Thirumazhisai, CMDA plans a wellness zone focused on traditional systems of medicine including ayurveda, siddha, and unani. "Its location near major highways makes it suitable for such a project. It will generate around 25,000 jobs," a senior CMDA official said.
Basheer Ahmed, committee member, Outbound Travel Association of India, said the wellness initiative could draw foriegn tourists going to Kerala. "ECR has huge potential. Water sports must be encourged. This will bring in good revenue," he said.
CMDA's aim is to decongest Chennai, create jobs and enable sustainable urban expansion
