Arappor Iyakkam urged the Tamil Nadu government to reclaim revenue land in Ramapuram, Chennai, valued at ₹100 crore and allegedly encroached upon by a temple committee. The appeal follows a High Court ruling confirming the land’s status.

A community-led study, Future Amidst Scorching Heat: Understanding and Building Heat Resilience in Ramapuram and Vyasarpadi, surveyed 260 residents—133 in Vyasarpadi and 127 in Ramapuram—and interviewed 12 residents from late June to early August. It was conducted by the Youth Climate Resilience Movement, Vyasai Thozhargal, Palluyir and Chennai Climate Action Group.

• Dehydration was reported by 94.7% of Vyasarpadi respondents and 89% in Ramapuram; heat-related hospitalisation by 38.3% and 21.3%, and headaches by 78.2% and 58.3%, respectively. Access to doctors at the nearest primary health centre was reported by 44.4% in Vyasarpadi and 73.2% in Ramapuram. Only 1.5%–6.3% knew the 104 health helpline.
• Public drinking-water points were accessible to 13.5% in Vyasarpadi and 48.8% in Ramapuram; large trees were nearby for 36.1% and 62.2%. Concrete roofs were reported by 51.9% of Vyasarpadi households and 86.6% in Ramapuram; homes without windows accounted for nearly one in five and 3.1%, respectively.
• In Vyasarpadi, 39% lacked workplace shade, 44.8% lacked afternoon breaks and 37.3% lacked free drinking water. Students reported classrooms of 40–70 with only two fans.

Researchers called for local heat plans, water points, shaded shelters, improved bus stops and schools, outdoor-worker breaks, multilingual warnings and hospital emergency units for heat illness.

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.

The Koyambedu–Butt Road stretch is 12km long and part of Corridor-5, the 44.6km Madhavaram–Sholinganallur line in Phase-2, featuring 13 elevated stations. It will connect with Phase-1 at Koyambedu through a skywalk. The line will serve residents of Virugambakkam, Manapakkam, and Ramapuram with quicker access to the city, office-goers to Porur IT corridor, visitors to Chennai Trade Centre, and traders to Koyambedu wholesale market. The 14.5km Poonamallee bypass–Vadapalani line is expected to start in February 2026, forming the first Phase-2 operational corridor. Four double-decker stations—Alwarthirunagar, Valasaravakkam, Karambakkam, and Alapakkam—will link the Koyambedu–Butt Road line with the Vadapalani–Poonamallee stretch. Civil work along Butt Road faces delays due to narrow roads and dense development. Some structures over Kathipara flyover are being constructed at night to avoid traffic disruption, with balanced cantilever work expected to finish possibly by April 2026. Initial plans to open Koyambedu–Alandur were revised, prioritising Koyambedu–Butt Road first.