The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has streamlined its property tax system for 2025, encouraging homeowners to utilize a new, user-friendly online portal for payments. This initiative is part of a broader digital governance push to enhance transparency and improve tax collection efficiency. By using the official website (tnurbanepay.tn.gov.in), residents can conveniently pay dues, track payment history, and even apply for property assessments, all from the comfort of their homes.Read more

Ashiana Housing has acquired nearly 23 acres of land on a perpetual lease within Mahindra World City, Chennai, from Mahindra World City Developers, a subsidiary of Mahindra Lifespace Developers. The land, located beside its existing project Ashiana Vatsalya, will be used for a senior living development with a potential saleable area of 15 lakh sq ft and estimated revenue of INR 1,200 crore. The company has also reported strong sales growth in the recent fiscal quarter.Read more

The Madras High Court has ordered a citywide audit of property tax assessments in Madurai following a public interest litigation (PIL) that has exposed a massive INR 200 crore property tax scam. The court has also directed the formation of special teams to verify the correctness of all assessments. This action comes, as a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is already probing the scam, which allegedly involves the undervaluation of properties by officials, political figures, and the manipulation of the online tax system.Read more

Chennai-based DRA Group has entered into a strategic joint venture with the Philippines-based Balajadia Family Office to develop a large-scale commercial and retail project in India. The collaboration, sealed during the Philippines-India Business Forum in Bengaluru, will see the development of one million square feet of Grade-A space in the first phase. The project is being launched with an estimated investment of USD 100 million and will be carried out through a specially created SPV platform.Read more

Chennai's civic authority cleared around 2 lakh tonnes of building waste across all city zones, with daily averages of 1,000 tonnes moved using more than 160 vehicles. The debris is being recycled into construction materials at municipal plants, offering cost savings and promoting reuse. A dedicated app tracks operations, while new rules have generated public engagement and INR?39.3 lakh in fines. Despite this, regulatory bodies flagged that processing plants remain inoperative, necessitating urgent action to meet environmental norms.Read more

Croma, the electronics and consumer durables retail arm of Infiniti Retail Ltd under the Tata Group, has expanded its retail network with the opening of a new outlet in Tambaram West, Chennai. This becomes the brand's 22nd store in the city and 38th in Tamil Nadu. With increasing demand for premium electronics in the region, the move reinforces Croma's commitment to strengthening its presence in high-growth urban pockets. The newly launched store spans 6,540 sq ft and is part of the RR Shopping Complex on Mudichur Road.Read more

Vishnusurya Projects and Infra Ltd has bagged an INR 103.07 crore contract from JWIL Infra Ltd for the execution of a pipeline project tied to a major desalination initiative near Chennai. The scope includes laying, testing, and commissioning pipelines, along with civil construction, for a 400 MLD desalination plant at Perur. The project, awarded to JWIL Infra by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, aims to supply potable water to nearly 22.67 lakh residents across Tambaram and 20 surrounding panchayats.Read more

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has released its third master plan, introducing higher Floor Space Index (FSI) allowances near transport corridors to promote vertical, transit-oriented development. This move aims to curb urban sprawl and support compact, sustainable growth across the newly expanded Chennai Metropolitan Area. The plan includes a phased rollout of FSI norms, tied to infrastructure upgrades in roads, water, sewage, and public transit. Built on extensive stakeholder input, it emphasises inclusivity, accountability, and performance monitoring. Key features include TOD zones, walkable neighbourhoods, blue-green infrastructure, and satellite town development-signalling a bold shift toward smarter urban planning and climate resilience.Read more

Office space solutions provider 91Springboard has made its foray into Chennai by leasing an entire commercial building in Guindy. With this 28,000 sq ft facility, Chennai becomes the ninth city in the company's pan-India network, which now spans over 1.5 million sq ft and includes 30,000 desks. The new centre will feature a mix of ready-to-use private suites and customised built-to-suit workspaces. 91Springboard attributed Chennai's commercial real estate growth to rising demand from sectors such as IT, BFSI, and Global Capability Centres.Read more

Epson India has inaugurated its first ink tank printer manufacturing facility near Chennai, marking a major milestone under the 'Make in India' initiative. Located in Sriperumbudur and set to begin operations in October 2025, the plant-established with partner RIKUN-will initially produce Epson's EcoTank printers. These cartridge-free printers are known for their cost efficiency and eco-friendliness. Epson Global President Junkichi Yoshida highlighted the company's commitment to sustainability and local production. With over 100 million EcoTank units sold worldwide, including 8 million in India, Epson aims to enhance supply chain agility and deepen its presence in the Indian market through this facility.Read more

Ample Parks, a joint venture between Actis and Mahindra Lifespaces, has launched its first Grade-A industrial and logistics park at Mahindra World City near Chennai. Spread across 71 acres, the project is set to generate 11,000 new jobs and INR 110 crore in annual revenue. With 2.1 million sq ft of leasable space, the park caters to the rising demand for high-quality industrial infrastructure. Designed with sustainability in focus, half of the power needs will be met through renewable energy. Expansion plans include key metros and tier-2 cities across India.Read more

Volkswagen India has launched two Performance Centres in Chennai- on Mount Road and in Ambattur- as part of its premium retail strategy to showcase the new Golf GTI and Tiguan R-Line. These centres mark the first in a planned network of 12 across the country. Deliveries of the Golf GTI have begun, with expanded access to the Tiguan R-Line also underway. Designed to offer a luxury experience through multisensory engagement, the centres aim to elevate Volkswagen's brand presence. With this move, the company's Tamil Nadu network now includes 27 sales and 19 service outlets, signalling a strong focus on upscale customer engagement.Read more

Chennai-based real estate firm DRA has partnered with the Greater Chennai Corporation to launch a INR 1 crore beautification project on Sir V.P. Raman Road (Lloyds Road) under Tamil Nadu's "Namakku Naame" initiative. The four-month Public-Private Partnership aims to transform the bustling stretch into a sustainable, walkable, and aesthetically vibrant urban space. Planned upgrades include LED streetlights, landscaped walkways, public seating, and smart signage. DRA Managing Director Ranjeeth Rathod highlighted the initiative as a reflection of civic pride and community-focused progress. The project was inaugurated in the presence of senior civic officials, showcasing a strong model of public-private collaboration in urban renewal.Read more

Chennai's residential rental market is witnessing sharp hikes, with year-on-year increases of up to 25% in key areas. Anarock data shows a 22.2% quarter-on-quarter rise in Q3 2024, the highest among major Indian metros. Localities near IT corridors like Velachery, Sholinganallur, and Taramani now see 1BHK rents ranging from INR 25,000 to INR 35,000 per month. Even outer suburbs like Pallavaram and Kolathur are no longer affordable. The surge is driven by demand from Global Capability Centres (GCCs), limited new housing supply, and property tax hikes. Middle-income tenants are moving to farther suburbs, while many professionals are opting for shared housing or co-living spaces. Comparisons to Bengaluru's rental trends are growing, raising concerns about Chennai's affordability. Without proactive housing policies and infrastructure improvements, the city risks facing long-term housing challenges similar to its southern counterpart.Read more

Brigade Enterprises Ltd has acquired a 5.41-acre land parcel on Velachery Road in Chennai for INR 441.7 crore, aiming to develop a housing project with a gross development value (GDV) of approximately INR 1,600 crore. The Bengaluru-based real estate firm announced the acquisition in a regulatory filing earlier this week. The project is expected to offer around 0.8 million square feet of residential space. Managing Director Pavitra Shankar stated that the acquisition aligns with the company's strategy to expand its footprint in Chennai, which has now become its second largest market after consistent investments in business development.Read more

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has recently imposed strict regulations aimed at reducing dust emissions from construction activities in response to rising air pollution levels. Builders are now required to install high barricades, utilize dust suppression techniques, and ensure proper waste management. Non-compliance could result in fines ranging from INR 10,000 to INR 500,000, depending on the project's scale and severity of violations. The GCC has also mandated 24/7 CCTV surveillance for high-rise constructions to monitor adherence. These measures aim to address the daily generation of approximately 800 metric tonnes of construction and demolition waste in the city.Read more

Walmart has leased 460,000 sq. ft. of office space at Radial IT Park, Chennai, with a monthly rent of INR 3.26 crore and a 4% annual escalation, marking a major expansion of its India-based backend operations. The five-year lease, which began in January 2025, includes a INR 19.55 crore deposit. This move strengthens Walmart's tech and analytics capabilities in India, supporting global operations. Located in the ITPC hub managed by Ascendas India Trust, the facility joins a growing list of global firms choosing Chennai for their global capability centres. The deal underscores strong demand for Grade A tech-centric office spaces in India.Read more

Horizon Industrial Parks, backed by Blackstone, started construction of a 3.16 lakh sq. ft. built-to-suit manufacturing facility in Chengalpattu, Chennai, for Yazaki India. The Japanese auto parts giant has now expanded its India presence to nearly 1 million sq. ft. across key industrial hubs including NCR, Hosur, and Chennai. This new facility is Yazaki's third collaboration with Horizon and reflects its commitment to sustainable and modern industrial infrastructure. The plant is designed for rooftop solar installations and will employ over 2,000 individuals, reinforcing Yazaki's focus on quality, safety, and timely execution.Read more