CMDA Seals Railway Land Leased Out to Private Firm for 45 Years

02 Jan 2025 CW Team

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has sealed property owned by the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) near Padi junction, where a private company is constructing a high-rise building. This action was taken due to delays in obtaining the necessary street alignment and Open Space Reservation (OSR) portions, which are considered violations under Section 56 and 57 of the Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act.

The notice, affixed to the gate of the property on CTH Road in Kakkapallam village, Ambattur, within the Greater Chennai Corporation limits, read: “Following notices issued on September 12, 2024, the building is locked and sealed, and you are instructed to halt ongoing development until the necessary planning permissions from CMDA and local building permits are obtained, in compliance with the Tamil Nadu Combined Development and Building Rules.”

RLDA had leased a 5.584-acre plot of vacant railway land in Kakkapallam village to the private company for 45 years at a price of Rs 43 crore.

TNIE attempted to contact RLDA officials for comment but was unsuccessful.

RLDA, a statutory body under the Ministry of Railways, was created to facilitate the commercial development of unused railway land. Key commercial sites identified for development in Chennai include locations at Pulianthope, Wall Tax Road, Tiruvottiyur, Tambaram, Perambur, and other areas.

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