Development Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area

Administrative Staff College of India Page 1 of 1

Development Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area

(Submitted to the MoUD, GoI, under JnNURM)

Appraisal Report

1. Based on Appraisal Report of ASCI submitted in May 2006, Tamil Nadu Urban Finance

and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TUFIDCo) submitted the Revised Development

Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area in October 2006. The revised CDP incorporates some of the

changes suggested in the ASCI’s Appraisal Report. The revised CDP, however, did not address

some of the more important suggestions proposed in the Appraisal Report. They are presented in

this Appraisal Report for consideration of Chennai Municipal Corporation and other constituent

local bodies covering the CDP area, TUFIDCo and Government of Tamil Nadu.

2. One of the prerequisites of JnNURM is preparation of a City Development Plan articulate

the Vision for the future development of the city through a consultative process involving key

stakeholders and civil society from all the constituents of the areas covered by the CDP. The

revised CDP refers to consultative process undertaken as part of Sustainable Cities Programme

jointly launched by UNCHS and UNEP in 1995 (pp.3-4). There is no discussion of the

consultative process involving different stakeholders and civil society in Chennai and other local

bodies, which form part of Chennai CDP area. This gives the impression that such a process did

not precede preparation of CDP. This is a serious flaw and need to be explained and corrected.

(Para 36)*

3. In the first Appraisal Report it was suggested that a clear demarcation of City of Chennai,

Chennai Urban Agglomeration, Chennai Metropolitan Area, Chennai Metropolitan Development

Authority, etc., need to be made by presenting constituent areas, population, area, etc., in one

table. This has not been attempted. The area covered by these agencies and the overlap between

these areas and the CDP area need to be discussed in the context of CDP being prepared covering

a large number of local bodies – both urban and rural. (Para 4)

4. In Chapter 1, Chennai Metropolitan Area comprising city of Chennai, 16 Municipalities, 20

Special Village Panchayats (or Town Panchayats as they are referred at different places in the

CDP ?) and 214 Village Panchayats have been identified as City Development Plan area. A list

of municipalities and town panchayats is given in Table 12.1 (page 147), but the list of village

panchayats has not been given. This needs to be given in the Annexure. Similarly, the analysis of

data in several chapters covers only Chennai and municipalities and no reference is made to

panchayats. This needs to be clarified. (Para 4)

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* Figure in the bracket refers to the para number in the ASCI’s Appraisal Report of

May, 2006.

Development Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area

Administrative Staff College of India Page 2 of 2

5. In the revised CDP the number of village panchayats is given as 214, where as in the

earlier CDP, the number was given as 213. Correct figure need to be given. (Para 4)

6. The first Appraisal Report suggested a detailed discussion on governance and

institutional framework impacting the growth and development and service delivery in the

metropolitan area and the reform process. The institutional aspects are covered in part, in Table

1.1 without any analysis (pp. 4 –5). But the revised CDP does not have a chapter on governance

and reforms. This should be included. Similarly, the public-private partnerships in development

also need to be covered.

7. Aspects of governance like implementation of different provisions of 74th CAA like

devolution of functions, constitution and working of wards committees, DPCs and MPCs and

other reforms initiated to strengthen governance in Chennai and other local bodies need to be

discussed. (Paras 7-9).

8. The first Appraisal Report suggested that as Chennai Metropolitan Area falls in three

districts, some description of the same needs to be given. The revised CDP gives the names of the

districts but details are not given in terms of governance implications and coordination issues and

challenges and how convergence is being achieved or proposed to be achieved (Para 6).

9. The financial status of the governing institutions, issues of convergence and coordination

have also not been adequately covered. They need to be discussed along with institutional

responsibilities as per Tables 18 & 19 of the Tool Kit. (Para 9)

10. Population projections were made for Chennai city and CMA areas. But basis of

projections was not discussed and no analysis of the population growth projections made. This is

critical to decide on investments for infrastructure development and other related aspects. The

data in Table 5.6, which is more detailed, may be presented with modifications in Table 2.9. (Para

12).

11. Composition of population is given but the percentages and shares are not provided.

Migration details were discussed in Table 2.5 and 2.6, but components of natural growth and

jurisdictional change should also be discussed as per the Table 2 of the Tool Kit (Para 10).

12. Sex ratio and literacy levels appear to be lower than urban Tamil Nadu both in Chennai

city as well as in CMA area. This is an area of concern and strategies and plans have to be

articulated (Para 11).

Development Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area

Administrative Staff College of India Page 3 of 3

13. Data on occupational structure is presented without calculating the shares and without

any discussion. The discussion and analysis on growth drivers needs to be strengthened. Analysis

of economy of Chennai city is given at page 20, but not that of CMA area. This is important for

planning and investment decisions and need to be presented. (Para 14).

14. Analysis of current land use pattern was given, but no analysis of future land use is made.

Land supply details also needs to be discussed as per Table 15 of Tool Kit. (Para 15).

15. Tariff structure, rainwater harvesting and conservation of water bodies have not been

discussed. That needs to be added.

16. Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board covers Chennai and a few

adjacent local bodies and bulk supplies to some other local bodies. But the institutional

responsibility for all areas covered in the CDP area has not been clarified, though touched at Para

5.2. (Para 18). This needs to be added.

17. Total number of households and the number of households with domestic water

connection, and cost recovery aspects has not been covered and need to be discussed in detail

(Paras 22-23).

18. The revised CDP, as in the earlier one refers to 1231 slums as developed and 242 as

undeveloped (p.116). The criteria for classifying the slums as developed has not been given even

in the revised CDP. From the analysis presented (pp. 116–118), it appears that 71% slum

population purchase water, 620 persons share a public water tank or tap, more than 20% defecate

in the open, 60% do not have storm water drains and two-third population throw solid wastes in

the open places, drains, etc. But still a large number of slums were classified as developed. This

aspect raised in the earlier Appraisal Report has not been adequately addressed and details given.

The chapter on basic services to the poor needs to be strengthened. (Para 46).

19. Allocations being made every year in the budgets of the respective local bodies for

poverty alleviation have not been presented and this needs to be added. (Para 52)

20. The CDP proposes to provide 150 lpcd, cover the entire Chennai city with network and

meter the domestic connections at a cost of Rs.350 crores. If that were so, why not provide

continuous water supply? This needs to be examined.

21. It is desirable to summarise current status and key challenges at the end of each chapter.

This brings clarity to analysis and facilitates articulation of Vision and projects.

22. Analysis of finances including the city investment plan needs to be strengthened.