Regulated development is needed to preserve Mamallapuram’s heritage, say panellists

Experts stress need for controlled development of Mamallapuram to preserve its heritage. Sanjay Chugh explains how it can become like Mumbai's Juhu, with more privacy and space. Jerry Kingsley says city is growing towards south, with ECR & Metro Rail developments. V. Baskaran suggests 50% of investments go towards sports infrastructure. Shylaja Chetlur says heritage aspects must be respected & locals integrated. Thirupurasundari Sevvel urges developers & buyers to keep heritage as key to development.

Experts stressed the need for regulated development of Mamallapuram and its surroundings to ensure the preservation of its heritage at a panel discussion on ‘Mamallapuram: On the Fast Track to Development’ held here on Wednesday. Powered by The Hindu and presented by the G Square Group, it is the second one in a series of discussions focusing on the coastal town’s infrastructure landscape.

Sanjay Chugh, city head and director of Anarock Property Consultants Pvt. Ltd., Chennai, who opened the discussion said several major events over the past two years had thrust the coastal town into the spotlight. It was a place with a lot of historic importance, and with controlled development, it could become like Mumbai’s Juhu, he said.

Mr. Chugh explained that some 30-40 years ago Juhu, which like Mamallapuram is away from the city, was developed and even today it retained its calm and quiet and was a nice place to live in. “A lot of people who moved to East Coast Road (ECR) during the COVID-19 pandemic do not want to move back since there is more privacy and space, and the quality of life is much better,” he said.

Jerry Kingsley, India head of strategic consulting value and risk advisory, City Lead Capital Markets, Chennai, said the city was growing towards the south. Rajiv Gandhi Salai or Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) had a major share of office space, and this means a lot of white collar employees are looking for a second home. Mamallapuram is by the sea and only 40 km from the city, with ECR being widened and Metro Rail being developed till Siruseri, this zone is likely to witness investments in the next five to 10 years, he added.

Mr. Kingsley said the stretch was a very scenic one and was something that other places in the country do not have. With vast availability of land, there was a lot of interest for development, and it was an apt destination for facilities like golf courses and theme parks and destination related investments, he explained.

V. Baskaran, former Indian hockey team captain, underscored the need for the development of sports infrastructure on a grand scale. “If anybody is investing at Mamallapuram, they should ensure 50% of it goes towards sports facilities. It will help us create a healthy future generation,” he said.

The Padma Shri awardee said sporting activities in the sea should also be encouraged. Countries such as Brazil and Spain had spent huge amounts on creating sports infrastructure, he said, adding that a large space to celebrate the victory of a team should also be created. “It encourages team spirit. In England, people celebrate the victory of a club for a week. Here, celebrations happen for an hour,” Mr. Baskaran added.