Chennai Corporation to issue NOC for land transfers for ECR widening project

The 30 land parcels are in Palavakkam, Kottivakkam, Neelankarai, Thiruvanmiyur, and Injambakkam, coming under Sholinganallur and Perungudi zones

The Greater Chennai Corporation is planning to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for transferring land to the State Highways Department to facilitate the widening of East Coast Road (ECR).

Two resolutions to this effect were passed at the general Council meeting held on Thursday (November 28, 2024). The 30 land parcels identified for transfer are in Palavakkam, Kottivakkam, Neelankarai, Thiruvanmiyur, and Injambakkam, coming under Sholinganallur and Perungudi zones.

GCC officials said these included land pockets as well as unused areas, such as dry wells and tanks registered under the GCC and Collectorate records. The project also involves the demolishing small structures, such as food stalls and small houses, to make way for the road expansion, as per the resolutions passed in the Council meeting. According to one resolution, several waterbodies (ponds, wells, and lakes, including the Vembuli Amman temple pond) have been marked for land transfer for the project.

A GCC official said the State approached the Chennai Collectorate to seek permission to use these lands, which was passed on to the GCC. “The civic body acts as a custodian to waterbodies within its limit. Hence, it has the authority to issue an NOC. The GCC does not own these waterbodies, unlike land pockets,” he added.

Further, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and State Highways Department have emphasised the importance of the land for the ECR widening project, which will not only expand the road but also include provisions for storm-water drains and utility infrastructure, the resolution added.

The proposed expansion aims to make the road into a six-lane highway and improve infrastructure along the southern coastal corridor.

Published - November 28, 2024 08:58 pm IST