Save Madambakkam Lake Committee field study identified multiple sewage sources:

• Rainwater canal from Kozhipannai, Maruthi Nagar, ALS Nagar and Sri Bogar Nagar carries sullage
• ASK Nagar residents directly discharge sullage into lake inlet
• Storm water drains on Yeshwanth Nagar East and West Main Roads, Yeshwanth Nagar 4th Street and Bhuvaneshwari Nagar carry grey water
• Canal from Thiruvanchery Lake carries sullage from residential and commercial establishments on Chennai Eastern bypass sides

Tambaram Corporation previously told National Green Tribunal no sewage enters the lake. Corporation claimed UGD project sanction issued for uncovered areas but work delayed by model code of conduct. NGT southern bench directed ecological restoration to prevent further degradation.

Tambaram corporation proposes underground sewer network and sewage treatment plant (STP) to reduce sewage inflow into Madambakkam lake. Sewer network: 267 km total length serving 37,540 buildings in Chitlapakkam, Sembakkam and Madambakkam. STP: 35 MLD (million liters per day) installed capacity in Pazhathottam, sufficient for 50 years with possible upgrades. State government sanctioned project in February; works expected completed in 2 years from work order date. Currently Tambaram corporation deploys tanker lorries to collect sewage from households, treated at STP in Mannuran Kulam area. Private sewage tankers also permitted to decant at STP, fitted with GPS devices and monitored to prevent unauthorised dumping.

Madambakkam Lake in Chennai is plagued by pollution, illegal garbage dumping, and encroachment. A ₹10-crore restoration plan by CMDA was announced in 2024. The lake contains sewage and water hyacinth. Residents and activists are demanding action.

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) draft for Madambakkam Land Pooling Area Development Scheme (LPADS) covers 242.81 hectares (600 acres) in Madambakkam (Tambaram Corporation), Agaramthen, and Kovilancheri villages under St. Thomas Mount Panchayat Union. Scheme approved via Government Order No. 66 on March 7, 2024.

Key provisions: Irregularly shaped plots will be resized; landowners will receive reconstituted plots with minimum 60% of original land; CMDA will provide access to public amenities including parks and playgrounds; land will be redistributed in structured format.

Objective: Combine small land parcels from multiple owners and reorganise into well-planned plots with improved infrastructure.

Public consultation: Draft available for inspection at CMDA office. Objections or suggestions can be submitted within 60 days. Final orders subject to outcome of pending court cases.

Chennai's rental market is shifting to suburbs due to Metro expansion, growing IT employment hubs, and upgraded transport infrastructure. Average rental growth across Chennai was 8% year-on-year.

Localities with highest rent appreciation:

• Iyyappanthangal: 21.7%
• Koyambedu: 20.3%
• West Tambaram: 19.1%
• Medavakkam: 18.5%
• Thoraipakkam: 18%
• Ramapuram: 15.3%

Rent drivers: Chennai Metro expansion along corridors including Iyyappanthangal, Ramapuram, and Koyambedu; IT and Global Capability Centre expansion on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) corridor (Thoraipakkam, Perungudi, Sholinganallur); Kilambakkam Bus Terminus opening transforming GST Road corridor (Pallavaram, Perungalathur, Tambaram belt).

Affordability: Average monthly rent in Tambaram is Rs 15,073, approximately 30% lower than Porur (Rs 19,753). Young professionals and corporate employees migrating to suburbs for larger homes at lower rents.

Tenant preferences: 59% prefer apartments in gated communities or complexes (up from 42% in 2020). Demand for fully furnished homes increased 49% since 2023; fully furnished homes attract 1.4 times more tenant demand than semi-furnished properties. Demand for unfurnished properties declining.

Property experts expect strong rental appreciation ahead in KK Nagar, Tambaram, Maduravoyal, Adyar, and Valasaravakkam.