The Madras High Court has ordered a detailed probe into a INR 93-crore compensation payout made by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) to landowners for a metro expansion project. The court has asked for full documentation—including valuation reports, beneficiary details and payment records—to verify whether compensation was fair and procedurally sound. The order follows allegations of improper valuation or lapses in due process. The audit aims to ensure transparency in large public land acquisitions, where scrutiny is essential to maintain trust and protect landowner rights. Depending on the findings, CMRL may face revisions to its compensation framework or strengthened validation of its existing procedures.Read more

IndianOil Total Pvt Ltd (ITPL), a joint venture between Indian Oil Corporation and TotalEnergies Marketing Services SAS, has started operations at its new greenfield bitumen derivatives plant in Gummidipoondi near Chennai. The facility, commissioned earlier this month, will produce PMB, CRMB, NRMB and bitumen emulsions to support road and infrastructure projects across southern states. The plant, built with automated systems and global safety standards, is expected to strengthen supply reliability, reduce logistics time, and cater to major works under NHAI, state highways, industrial corridors and urban development programmes.Read more

CMRL is planning to introduce 28 six-car trains by 2028 to increase capacity on its main corridors. These trains will carry up to 1,800 passengers, reducing waiting times and easing peak-hour congestion. Current monthly ridership exceeds one crore, with further growth expected due to Phase I extensions and Phase II development. Stations are prepared for longer trains, with upgrades like platform screen doors planned. The trains will be built domestically and equipped with technology for future driverless operation, addressing both immediate and long-term commuter needs.Read more

Work on the 3.2-km, four-lane elevated corridor between Teynampet and Saidapet is visibly picking up pace. With 40 of 91 piers in place, the highways department has started installing steel spans (ranging from 11 m to 30 m) brought in from Mumbai and Gujarat. Of the 91 pillars, 69 are being built over the underground metro corridor, which helps speed up the foundation work. However, delays persist near Nandanam and Teynampet due to high-voltage power-line relocation and soil-stabilisation issues. Earlier optimism for a public opening before Pongal has given way to a revised target of end-March.Read more

The Madras High Court has issued notices to the Union Government, the Tamil Nadu Government and Chennai Metro Rail Limited after a petition sought a revised detailed project report (DPR) for the long-pending Madurai Metro project. The petitioner, a first-year law student, argued that the earlier DPR no longer reflects Madurai's expanded urban footprint, rising population and growing institutional hubs such as the High Court Bench, AIIMS Madurai and major healthcare centres. He said the city now meets the population criteria under the Metro Rail Policy, 2017, and that outdated 2011 census data should not determine eligibility. The plea seeks preparation of an updated DPR, with the court asking authorities to respond soon.Read more

Allcargo Terminals is planning a second container freight station (CFS) in Chennai, located in the Kattupalli-Ennore corridor, to manage growing logistics demand in the region. The company has extended its 30-acre land lease from Venkatesh Coke and Power Limited (VCPL) until September next year, paying an annual rent of INR 9 crore. The expansion complements Allcargo's existing 23-acre Chennai CFS, which handles over-dimensional cargo and operates 24/7. The new facility is expected to strengthen the company's presence in southern India and improve cargo handling efficiency.Read more

Repco Home Finance reported a net consolidated profit of INR 103.15 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, down 5.12% from INR 108.72 crore in the same quarter last year. Total income increased by 4.18% to INR 441.90 crore, while the loan book grew by 7.7 % to INR 15,033 crore. The gross NPA ratio improved to 3.16 % and net NPA stood at around 1.50 %. Non salaried borrowers account for 52.6 % of loans, and the company maintained a strong capital adequacy ratio of 36.88 %, reflecting prudent risk management.Read more

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Ltd. (MTC) received 'City with the Best Public Transport System' award at the Urban Mobility India Conference 2025 in Gurugram for its achievements in connectivity, digital integration, and inclusivity. The recognition highlights MTC's wide network of over 660 routes, the Vidiyal Payanam free travel scheme for women, the school bus service scheme, electric bus introduction, and app-based journey planning through Chennai One. It also acknowledges efforts toward safety, sustainability, and improved accessibility across Chennai's public transport system.Read more

IHCL has announced the signing of a 151-key Taj hotel on Chennai's ECR, a greenfield project developed in partnership with MGM Healthcare. The move targets Chennai�s growing corporate, IT, and automobile-driven demand, as well as leisure travel and MICE events. With this addition, IHCL�s portfolio in the city will rise to 16 hotels, including six under development. The project strengthens the company�s strategic presence in South India, providing travellers with more options while reinforcing its position in a competitive and growing hospitality market.Read more

The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has signed a INR 48.33 crore contract with Faiveley Transport Rail Technologies India Pvt Ltd to install an anti-drag passenger door safety system across all 52 trains operating under Phase I. The system enhances existing obstacle-detection technology by identifying thin or light materials such as saree ends, dupattas, bag straps, and belts that could get trapped during door closure. If entrapment occurs, it will trigger an emergency brake and alert the driver instantly. CMRL clarified that this initiative is a preventive safety upgrade, not incident-driven. The feature will also be standard on Phase II trains, reinforcing global safety standards and boosting public confidence in Chennai's metro system.Read more

Nizam, Founder Findbhk.com

Padur, located along Chennai's Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), has rapidly evolved from a quiet coastal stretch into one of South Chennai's most attractive real estate hotspots. With robust IT connectivity, educational and healthcare institutions, and growing infrastructure, the locality has witnessed notable price appreciation in the past few years. Affordable land rates compared to neighbouring hubs like Sholinganallur and Navalur make it ideal for first-time investors seeking high ROI potential, supported by strong end-user demand and ongoing infrastructure development.Read more

The Chennai One mobility app, launched by the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA), is preparing to include INR 1,000 and INR 2,000 monthly commuter passes to simplify travel across the city. Despite strong initial adoption, commuters have requested better training for MTC staff to assist with app usage. The app already consolidates buses, suburban trains, MRTS lines, and metro services, offering real-time tracking, UPI payments, and QR code validation. Future plans include student and senior citizen passes, women's free bus service, smart parking, and optimized routes for differently-abled passengers.Read more

Lloyd's List Intelligence is establishing a Centre of Excellence in Chennai to strengthen its maritime data and technology operations. The centre will generate over 200 roles in data analysis, software development, and quality assurance. Chennai's skilled workforce, maritime heritage, and government support make it an ideal location. The centre will manage more than a billion daily maritime data points, supporting global stakeholders with real-time intelligence. This expansion aligns with India's growing maritime focus and the company's broader Asia-Pacific strategy.Read more

Brigade Enterprises Ltd has entered into a Joint Development Agreement to build a 6.6-acre residential project in West Chennai, with an estimated Gross Development Value (GDV) of INR 1,000 crore. The Bengaluru-based company aims to strengthen its presence in Chennai, its second-largest market, through this venture. The city's real estate sector has shown consistent growth, supported by infrastructure development and demand from homebuyers and investors. The project reflects Brigade's strategy to expand its portfolio while tapping into high-growth housing markets.Read more

The Greater Chennai Corporation has collected INR 910 crore in property tax during the first half of the current financial year against a target of INR 1,100 crore. To address the gap, officials have introduced digital reminders, QR-code payment options and systematic follow-ups. The shift towards online compliance reflects the growing use of technology in civic revenue systems and the urgency to meet financial benchmarks.Read more

Nuvama and Cushman & Wakefield's joint venture fund has finalised the acquisition of a large office campus in Chennai from Singapore-based Keppel group in a deal worth INR 2,550 crore. The transaction was carried out under their flagship Prime Offices Fund, which aims to invest in prime commercial properties across high-growth micro-markets in India. The Chennai campus, spread across 2.4 million sq ft in Porur, marks the second major acquisition under the fund.Read more

Keppel Corporation is selling its One Paramount office park in Porur, Chennai, to the Prime Offices Fund for INR 2,750 crore. The 2.4 million square feet Grade-A tech park houses tenants like Genpact and Maersk and offers strong rental yields of 7-7.5%. The Prime Offices Fund, managed by Nuvama Asset Management and Cushman & Wakefield India, is actively expanding its presence in key Indian cities with a focus on premium, fully leased office assets, reflecting continued investor confidence in India's commercial real estate market.Read more

Chennai's new multi-modal transport app, Chennai One, has launched to unify the city's public transport, including buses, metro lines, and suburban trains, into a single platform. Within the first 24 hours, it recorded over 1.3 lakh downloads and more than 4,000 ticket bookings. Developed by the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA), the app provides cashless ticketing via UPI, GPS-based vehicle tracking, and a single QR code for all transport modes. Initial feedback highlights areas for improvement, including last-mile connectivity and system integration.Read more

The Madras High Court has upheld the prohibition on commercial ventures such as resorts and hotels within the Segur Plateau Elephant Corridor in the Nilgiris. It supported the findings of a Supreme Court-appointed inquiry committee, allowing landowners to pursue eco-friendly agriculture while preventing barriers that obstruct elephant movement. The court directed the state to classify adjoining revenue lands as reserved forests and to initiate the acquisition of private lands within the corridor with compensation, starting within six months, aiming to protect elephant migration paths while safeguarding property rights.Read more

Allcargo Supply Chain, a subsidiary of Allcargo Logistics, inaugurated a new logistics park in Panapakkam, near Chennai. The facility spans 275,000 square feet and is designed to handle over 300 vehicles daily, with a monthly throughput of approximately 60,000 tonnes. Strategically located at the intersection of NH 76 and SH 50, it offers connectivity to key industrial hubs like Red Hills, Chennai Port, Sri City, Sriperumbudur, and Oragadam. The park aims to support distribution in sectors such as automobiles, e-commerce, and consumer durables, with a significant focus on the automobile industry.Read more