• DRA launched its first luxury independent villa community, Inara, in Navalur, Chennai.
• Project investment: about Rs 100 crore.
• Location: Navalur on Old Mahabalipuram Road.
• Scale: 118 luxury villas.
• Configuration: 3BHK, 4BHK and 5BHK units.
• Sizes: 1,952 to 3,697 sq ft.
• Starting price: Rs 1.70 crore for 3BHK homes.
• The company says it is Chennai's first ultra-luxury villa project with exclusive land ownership.
• The community has more than 50 premium amenities.

Tamil Nadu is establishing a dedicated Global Capability Centre (GCC) corridor to support Chennai's expanding tech and corporate sector.

Corridors covered:

• OMR (Rajiv Gandhi Salai): 45 km IT corridor from Madhya Kailash to Mahabalipuram/ECR; identified stretch between Madhya Kailash and Kelambakkam (25 km) through Perungudi, Thoraipakkam, Sholinganallur, Navalur, Kelambakkam
• Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road: 10-14 km, east-west corridor linking GST Road to OMR; current proposal covers 7.4 km between Pallavaram Bridge and Thoraipakkam Junction
• Mount-Poonamallee High Road: 11 km arterial road through Nandambakkam, Manapakkam, Porur to Poonamallee; key commercial and IT corridor with projects like DLF IT Park

Key features:

• Enhanced Floor Space Index (FSI) for eligible GCC campuses to enable additional office space
• Infrastructure improvements for roads, public transport, water supply, sewage, drainage, electricity, digital infrastructure
• Current average land price: ₹5,000-10,500 per sq. ft; average 2BHK rent: ₹18,000-45,000 per month
• GCC sector added 94,000 jobs in 2023-24

Expected impact: Increased demand for housing, retail, hospitality and services in surrounding areas; establishment as major employment hubs.

Chennai recorded 9,198 residential sales in H1 2026, up 3% year-on-year, and average prices increased 5% to ₹7,555 per sq ft, according to Knight Frank India. Homes priced ₹50 lakh–₹1 crore accounted for 47% of sales. Demand is supported by Metro Phase II, the Pallavaram–Thoraipakkam Radial Road, airport connectivity, and industrial growth in Oragadam and SIPCOT Siruseri. Developers expanding across Chennai include Brigade Group, Casagrand, Urbanrise, Doshi Housing, DRA Homes, House of Hiranandani, TVS Emerald, Prestige Group, Radiance Realty, Puravankara, DAC Developers, Jones Foundations and Appaswamy Real Estates.

• Sholinganallur, Thoraipakkam, Perungudi and Karapakkam: indicative prices ₹7,000–10,000 per sq ft; rents rose 8–10%. Projects include Brigade Altius, Casagrand First City, Urbanrise Whispers of Sky, Doshi Risington and DRA iHeart.
• Navalur, Siruseri, Kelambakkam and Padur: prices ₹5,000–7,500 per sq ft, 25–40% below areas farther north on OMR. Projects include House of Hiranandani Upscale, TVS Emerald Verde Vista, Urbanrise Revolution One, Casagrand Southbrooke and Casagrand Sun City.
• Pallavaram and the GST Road–Radial Road belt: prices ₹7,000–9,000 per sq ft. Prestige Pallavaram Gardens spans about 21.8 acres and 2,000-plus homes, with possession around 2029; TVS Emerald LightHouse, Casagrand Casamia (about 22 acres, 1,300-plus homes), Casagrand Reva and Radiance Realty projects are also listed.

Floor premiums vary by locality and rise with floor level. The article flags congestion, water supply, aircraft noise, construction, longer commutes and resale liquidity as considerations.

DRA Homes launched DRA iHEART in Navalur on OMR. Described as Chennai's first branded sea-view residence. Project spans 3.42 acres and comprises 271 homes.

DRA Homes launched 'DRA iHEART' at Navalur on OMR in Chennai. Project comprises 271 homes on 3.42 acres. Price per flat starts from Rs 1.5 crore. Total project value: Rs 560 crore. Managing Director Ranjeeth Rathod said it is Chennai's first branded residences in the luxury segment.