Chennai Corporation struggles with delays in building reassessment

19 Oct 2023 CW Team

Six years have passed since the launch of the Greater Chennai Corporation's geographic information system-based building reassessment initiative, but nearly 80% of the buildings with deviations are yet to be reassessed.

Darashaw and Company, appointed by GCC, identified 3,10,139 buildings with deviations for reassessment and re-measurement. However, only 60,000 buildings have been remeasured, and among these, only 30,000 have been reassessed and included in the property tax calculations.

This delay has resulted in a significant revenue loss for the corporation, estimated at Rs 2.5 to 3 billion, constituting about 20% of its annual property tax revenue. Revenue officials attribute the delay to the diversion of the workforce to other tasks such as Covid-19 response, elections, monsoon preparations, and welfare schemes like the ?Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai? drive.

According to an unnamed revenue official, the assessment process involves thorough inspections, measurements, correlation with GIS mapping, and finalisation of deviations, with potential legal challenges from property owners further complicating the process. K Dhanasekaran, the standing committee chairman of the accounts department, highlighted that universities, marriage halls, and commercial buildings were the major violators. He emphasised the need for a dedicated survey team independent of the regular GCC workforce to expedite the reassessment process.

Dhanasekaran urged the corporation to establish a specialised team for building surveys and emphasised the importance of the commissioner reviewing the under-assessed buildings zone-wise to accelerate the reassessment drive. Deputy Commissioner (Revenue and Finance) R Lalitha assured that the drive would resume soon, with a commitment to reviewing and expediting the pending works.

Infrastructure Transport

16 Sep 2025

Metro Line 2B Phase 1 to Boost Realty in Mumbai’s Eastern Suburbs

Mumbai’s real estate sector is set for a major boost as Phase 1 of Metro Line 2B, between Mandale and Diamond Garden, nears completion. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has confirmed that mandatory rectifications are done, and inspections by the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) have been carried out. The 5.39-km stretch with five stations forms part of the larger DN Nagar–Mandale corridor, designed to ease congestion and improve east–west connectivity. Passenger operations are expected by December 2025, with the full line slated for 2027. ..

WattPower wins Best Inverter award at Global Solar Expo 2025

WattPower, a leading renewable energy solutions provider, has won the award for “Best Inverter in the Utility Segment” at the Global Solar Expo 2025. The recognition underscores the company’s commitment to delivering reliable, high-performance and future-ready solar solutions for large-scale projects. At the forefront of utility-scale solar, WattPower manufactures advanced string inverters that directly feed power into the Indian grid. With robust technology, high-quality components and comprehensive product lifecycle support, its solutions stand among the most sophisticated in the ..

Awfis delivers 67,000 sq. ft. innovation hub for eBay in Bengaluru

Awfis Space Solutions, India’s largest flexible workspace provider and the first publicly listed workspace solutions platform, has partnered with eBay to establish a 67,000 sq. ft. innovation hub at Embassy Tech Village, Bengaluru. The mandate covers design, build and management of the new office, which will act as a strategic hub supporting diverse functions and accelerating eBay’s AI-first commerce strategy. The centre will focus on artificial intelligence, engineering, product development and applied research, strengthening eBay’s growth in India. Embassy Tech Village, North Beng..