Metropolitan cities are generally found to grow fast and, as a result, influence the adjoining areas, causing rapid change in land use patterns, demand for infrastructure, and rapid in-migration. This leads to changes of municipal corporation limits so as to improve the life of the people.

Chennai is no exception to this. Its municipal coporation limit has been extended several times. Recently, more areas have been added to the city.

The Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) has been delimited to an extent of 1180 sq.km prior to the First Master Plan and has been unchanged for planning during the Second Master Plan period.

Whatever be the planning, the CMA is not able to cope with the demand, and the gap between the requirements and what is being provided is widening. Hence, there is need to look for a better approach and base for planning and development.

A new approach has been found in the case of Delhi, with a National Capital Region (NCR) created in September 2005. The NCR conurbation, comprising the National Capital Territory of Delhi, a Haryana sub-region, a Rajasthan sub-region, and an Uttar Pradesh sub-region was planned with a total area of about
33,578 sq.km.

A similar scheme has been contemplated for some time for the Chennai Metropolitan Planning Area. Steps were taken by the Government of Tamil Nadu to constitute a Metropolitan Planning Committee for Chennai under the 74th Constitutional amendment to prepare an investment plan for the CMA. But the committee that would provide budget allocation and co-ordination between the various agencies, which obviously involves implementation of plans and programmes in the CMA, is yet to take off.

According to the latest census, Kancheepuram District witnessed a population growth rate of 39 per cent compared to 19 per cent in the previous census. For Thiruvallur, it has been 35 per cent versus 23 per cent. These are much higher than 13 per cent for Chennai. Given this fact, these two districts may have to be included in the region being considered.

The question now is how to evolve a region that will lead to an integrated approach for an entity comprising the city municipal corporation and metropolitan planning area, along with portions of two districts. A critical issue may be the decision on rural areas like Oothukottai and Madhuranthagam, whether to include or exclude them from the mega region while planning conurbation.

The aim of the plan for a mega region, viz. the State Capital Region for Tamil Nadu (SCRT), should be promotion of growth and balanced development of the whole region, providing an economic base for urban and rural settlements, efficient transport network, development of physical infrastructure, rational land use pattern, and an improved environment and quality of life. All the requirements could be taken care of by good capital budgeting for integrated development, which is possible by a single Authority to be formed for the SCRT – (Courtesy: Our Building and Construction).