Average housing prices have increased in the range of 13-33 per cent in the last three years across seven major cities on high demand, according to real estate consultant Anarock. Hyderabad's Gachibowli recorded the highest 33 per cent increase in average residential prices in the past three years. In Gachibowli, the average residential prices as of October 2023-end stood at Rs 6,355 per square feet as against Rs 4,790 per square feet in October 2020.
Inundation caused by monsoon rains continued to trouble people here and in other parts of the state, while Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday inspected rain battered areas and distributed assistance to the affected people.
Under its IT/ITeS SEZ development plan, Electronic Corporation of Tamil Nadu (Elcot) is setting up nine IT SEZs in Tamil Nadu, developing 1 million sq ft space at an estimated cost of Rs 28,000-30,000 crore (Rs 280-300 billion) - one each at Perumbakkam village and Sholinganallur near Chennai, two in Madurai, and one each at Tiruchirapalli (Trichy), Krishnagiri, Salem, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli.
During the heavy rains through the week here and other regions of Tamil Nadu not only inflatable boats, but preparedness, determination and presence of mind came in handy for personnel including policemen and women, civic and forest workers who rescued people, animals and snakes.
The government has also announced that families that relocate would get an allowance of Rs 5,000 towards shifting expenses.
Tambaram, a suburban area of the capital city has borne the brunt of the torrential rains, with areas beyond 2-3 km outside of its station left inundated, cutting it off from rest of Chennai.
The rain water level may be receding in the city bringing relief to people but it is leaving a huge trail of mess, prompting the Chennai Municipal Corporation to launch a mass cleanliness drive for all its 200 wards on Sunday, for which some of the civic bodies from the neighbouring districts have also lend a helping hand to.
Urimai Kural, part of the Gram Vaani community radio station that spans 15 states, serves as a much-needed helpline for harassed garment factory workers.
Narayanan, 33 from Chennai shares his story.
'Prices are rock, bottom, developers are ready to negotiate and banks are keen to lend.'
Why did Chennai go under in the recent rains? R Ramasubramanian paints a familiar picture of dismal urban town planning, civic short-sightedness, and rampant development that caused the recent nightmare.