4 Corpns to have urban devpt bodies

Chennai

Replying to the debate on demand for grants, UrbanDevelopment Minister S Muthusamy said the decision was taken in view ofincreasing urbanisation in Tamil Nadu.

Accordingly, Madurai Metropolitan Development Authority(MMDA), Coimbatore - Tiruppur Metropolitan Development Authority (CTMDA) andHosur Urban Development Authority (HUDA) would be developed.

He also announced a proposal to expand Chennai MetropolitanArea by including Arakkonam and a few areas of Tiruvallur and Kancheepuramafter public consultation. The Minister also proposed to increase the coverageof the master plan area from the existing 7% to 22%. Stating that only 7% ofthe 1.3 lakh sq km total geographical area of the State was covered under themaster plan, Muthusamy told the Assembly that review of the plans was needed asthe horizon period of the plans was only 20 years in view of increasingurbanization.