Chennai: The TVK-led Tamil Nadu government has abandoned the proposed Kancheepuram New Town project by withdrawing a notification issued in 2023 to regulate urban expansion and preserve the heritage identity of the historic temple town.
The decision marks another reversal of a major infrastructure and development initiative launched by the previous DMK government.
In a Government Order dated August 10, 2026, the Housing and Urban Development Department rescinded the earlier notification authorising the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) to prepare a comprehensive development plan for the area.
The project, formally titled the “New Town Development Plan for Kancheepuram New Town and Detailed Development and Heritage Revitalisation Plan for Kancheepuram Town 2025-2045”, was intended to address the challenges created by the city’s rapid and largely unregulated growth.
In February 2023, the then DMK government notified its intention to create the new town across 62.78 square kilometres, encompassing 18 revenue villages. The proposal was designed to guide Kancheepuram’s expansion towards National Highway 48 while improving transport links, civic infrastructure and land-use planning.
Authorities had identified haphazard commercial development, worsening traffic congestion and mounting pressure on public amenities as significant concerns.
The impact of construction and urbanisation on Kancheepuram’s temples, traditional neighbourhoods and overall heritage character was also cited as a reason for preparing a specialised revitalisation plan. Following the notification, CMDA began preliminary work on the proposed new-town blueprint and a detailed plan covering Kancheepuram’s core heritage zones for the 2025-2045 period.
The latest Government Order effectively brings that exercise to an end. The decision follows the government’s abandonment of the proposed Parandur greenfield airport and the cancellation of the Rs 205.89 crore work order for the Global Sports City at Semmencheri.
While the airport project was dropped, the government said the sports-city proposal would be redesigned over a larger area.
Uncertainty has also emerged over Tamil Nadu’s broader new-town policy. The Housing and Urban Development Department’s 2026-27 policy note, tabled in the Assembly on Friday, makes no reference to development plans previously proposed for Thirumazhisai, Minjur, Tiruvallur, Mamallapuram, Chengalpattu, Maraimalai Nagar and Sriperumbudur.
The omission, coupled with the Kancheepuram decision, has raised questions about whether the government intends to review, restructure or abandon the wider new-town development strategy.
(IANS)
