Chennai: At a time when opposition mounts over the TVK govt’s proposal to build a new secretariat, the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has approved the reclassification of a 21.37-acre land parcel in Foreshore Estate.The CMDA’s 289th Authority Meeting on Monday was chaired by minister for housing and urban development P Rajkumar. The land parcel, which was under primary residential, institutional, open space and recreational, and non-assigned zones, was reclassified into a commercial use zone.The move follows chief minister C Joseph Vijay’s announcement in Sept to shift the secretariat and assembly from Fort St George to Foreshore Estate and build a new complex with 20 lakh sqft of built-up space at an estimated cost of ₹1,200 crore. The govt subsequently issued an order granting in-principle approval and initiating the detailed project report process.The proposal has since faced opposition from fishing communities and political parties, who have raised concerns over the new structure’s impact on traditional livelihoods, coastal ecology and public access to the shoreline. Fisherfolk from several coastal hamlets have held protests and demanded that the govt withdraw the order.Despite the protests, the govt has so far continued with the preliminary process, maintaining that the project is at the DPR stage and that a final decision would follow its assessment.During the Monday meeting, the CMDA reviewed and approved 44 applications for land use reclassification within the Chennai metropolitan area. In addition, decisions were made on seven administrative files. Since the TVK govt assumed office, the CMDA has approved a total of 79 files.
