T.N. Assembly | Huge council hall proposed for Chennai as number of councilors set to increase from 200 to 300

Greater Chennai Corporation to build council hall for increased councillors, health walkways, STEM Park, sump for flood water, and more projects.

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) will construct a large council hall at an estimated cost of ₹75 crore to accommodate the proposed rise in the number of councillors from 200 to 300 in the city, after the delimitation of wards, following the merger of new villages with the city, said Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Minister K.N. Nehru.

Announcing various projects on the floor of the Legislative Assembly while replying to the debates relating to demands for the MAWS Department, Mr. Nehru said work on the merger of various villages with urban areas was expected to be completed shortly.

“The population in the city is estimated at 89 lakh, and is further increasing. Once delimitation is done, the number of councillors is likely to increase from 200 to 300. The delimitation of wards will resolve the civic issues caused by a rise in population in many wards. Several wards in Chennai have more than 40,000 residents,” the Minister said.

The new council hall in Ripon Buildings (the headquarters of the Chennai Corporation) will be constructed as part of the Kalaignar centenary celebrations, he said. 

The Minister also announced various projects including a health walkway along MKB Nagar Central Avenue, Meenambal Salai, Sathyamurthy Nagar Main Road, Ritherdon Road, R.A. Puram Second Main Road, Nanganallur 4th 5th and 6th Main Roads and Old Thiru Vi Ka Bridge.

The health walkway constructed by GCC on a pilot basis in Besant Nagar has attracted many residents in the area, he said.

The Chennai Corporation will also develop a STEM Park to sensitise children about science, technology, environment and mathematics. The park will be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹5 crore in Chennai.