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One Lakh Patta Holders Affected; Ramsar Freeze Halts South Chennai Growth

CHENNAI: Over 100,000 patta holders in South Chennai are facing a housing and ownership crisis due to construction valued at approximately ₹1 lakh crore being stalled. This is largely a result of the CMDA freezing planning approvals surrounding the Pallikaranai Ramsar site last October, according to the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI). During a press conference on Tuesday, CREDAI urged the CMDA to reconsider the 1-km Ramsar influence zone that covers 3,358 hectares (8,397 acres), which has made large areas of Velachery, Pallikaranai, Perungudi, Sholinganallur, and Perumbakkam unviable for future construction. Viswajith Kumar, vice-president of CREDAI’s…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Chennai: ₹2,000 Cr Housing Scam in Pallikaranai Ramsar Site

CHENNAI: The anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam has accused various state government departments of unlawfully granting clearance for a ₹2,000-crore housing project allegedly located within the ecologically sensitive Pallikaranai Ramsar wetland area in Perumbakkam. In a complaint to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, and DVAC, the NGO highlighted that the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and CMDA provided environmental clearance and construction approval for specific survey numbers—453, 495/2c, 496, 497, and 498—which fall within the marshland boundaries. Arappor claims to have submitted a 213-page supporting document as evidence. According to the Ramsar site map and influence outlines provided by CMDA,…