Three agencies make a mess of one city

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Agency (CMDA) is responsible for drawing ‘master plans’ for the city and permitting the conversion of waterbodies and farmlands for development. However, CMDA has misinterpreted the Town and Country Planning Act and reclassified individual survey numbers, resulting in buildings standing inside waterbodies. Experts also blame CMDA for shrinking water bodies through Eri schemes. The 2017 CAG report highlighted the decrease in water bodies and green cover. Activists oppose the lack of transparency in the reclassification process and urge CMDA to prioritize flood plains, wetlands, catchment, and buffer zones in the upcoming third master plan.