CHENNAI: The third master plan for Chennai has been created by integrating over 25 studies focused on economic development, urban housing, transportation, environmental sustainability, and technology, according to Anshul Mishra, additional director of AIIMS and former CMDA member-secretary.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the Tamil Nadu Land Use 2025 conference organized by the state planning commission, Mishra emphasized that master plans should encompass more than just land use. They need to include an economic strategy, identify industrial clusters, and consider labor markets.
He highlighted the importance of incorporating transit-oriented development for jobs and housing along metro lines, roadways, and suburban corridors to minimize commute times and reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, he stated that blue-green assets should be systematically identified and mapped within the master plan. “Urbanization itself does not cause environmental degradation; rather, it is the absence of proper planning that results in harm,” he added.
Mishra reported that commute times in the Chennai Metropolitan Area, which has a population of approximately 1.15 crore, have risen by 12% since 2019, while public transportation accounts for less than 30% of travel. He pointed to successful integrated development models—such as those along Ahmedabad’s bus rapid transit system and Pune’s metro corridors—which have led to a 22% decrease in per-capita energy consumption and a 26% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. He suggested that rationalizing the floor space index (FSI) for industries could enhance output per hectare and curb urban sprawl.
State Industries Minister T R B Rajaa, who inaugurated the two-day conference, stated that the government’s objective is to position the state as a leading hub for research and development in the country.
