The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority’s (CMDA) plan to construct a pedestrian overpass linking the Kilambakkam bus terminus with a new railway station has hit a roadblock due to a hefty compensation demand from the landowner. The owner is reportedly seeking ₹350 crore for about 1.45 acres of land—an amount that has left officials stunned, especially since the market value is estimated at only ₹60 crore and the total cost of the skywalk project is ₹74 crore.
Background: Kilambakkam Bus Terminus & Skywalk
As part of efforts to ease traffic congestion in Chennai, a new bus terminus was built on 40 acres in Kilambakkam near Vandalur, with an investment of ₹400 crore. The facility became operational on 30 December 2023. However, the lack of a direct metro connection has caused inconvenience for passengers, especially those traveling to and from the city.
To address this, a railway station is under construction between Oorapakkam and Vandalur, aimed at integrating suburban rail services with the terminus. To ensure seamless connectivity, CMDA proposed a 1,310-meter pedestrian overpass across GST Road at a projected cost of ₹74 crore. The foundation stone was laid in March 2023.
Legal Dispute Over Land Acquisition
The Chengalpattu District Administration had earlier issued a notification to acquire the required land for the project. However, the landowner challenged the acquisition in the Madras High Court, arguing that legal procedures had not been properly followed. The court agreed and quashed the initial order, directing the district administration to issue a fresh notification in compliance with the law.
Amid this ongoing process, the landowner has now demanded ₹350 crore in compensation, triggering concerns among CMDA and district officials over the viability of the project. Authorities are particularly alarmed, given the wide gap between the demand and the actual market value of the land.
Officials Grapple With Land Dispute Linked To DMK MP S. Jagathrakshakan
The land in question belongs to Premier Leather Corporation, owned by DMK Member of Parliament S. Jagathrakshakan and his family. The previous court ruling noted procedural lapses in the acquisition process, including failure to follow the proper notification route via the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette and the improper delegation of powers under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013.
Justice N. Anand Venkatesh observed that the same official—Chengalpattu Collector—had performed dual roles under Sections 15(2) and 15(3) of the Act, which is not permissible when property rights are involved. The court stressed that the land acquisition process should not be treated as a formality and must involve genuine consideration of objections.
Officials are now reportedly considering escalating the issue to the Chief Minister’s office to seek a resolution, especially given the political profile of the landowner. The future of the pedestrian overpass project remains uncertain until a feasible and legally sound path forward is found.
(With inputs from Dinamalar)
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