Allegations have surfaced that the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) approved as many as 130 building plan files within a span of just three days, with reports claiming that several crores of rupees were collected as bribes in connection with the approvals. The allegations have sparked a major controversy and reportedly prompted a high-level inquiry, as reported in Dinakaran.
Within Chennai city limits, developers seeking to construct residential buildings, apartment complexes, commercial establishments, or hotels are required to obtain approval from the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA). Smaller residential projects can secure permission directly from the Greater Chennai Corporation.
Over the past few years, Chennai has witnessed a surge in construction activity, particularly in the apartment housing sector. Numerous applications seeking planning approval had reportedly been submitted to the CMDA during the election period. However, officials allegedly kept these applications pending.
According to sources, approvals for large-scale projects require ministerial clearance, resulting in many files remaining unprocessed.
After the new government assumed office on 10 May 2026, Chief Minister Vijay and ten ministers were sworn in. However, portfolios were not allocated immediately and were assigned only after a few days. Subsequently, the Cabinet was expanded and departmental responsibilities were distributed.
Sources claim that during this interim period, Prakash, who was serving as the Member Secretary of CMDA, received a phone call from a senior minister who is reportedly considered second only to the Chief Minister within the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government and is said to be playing a key role in running the administration. The minister allegedly instructed that no approvals should be granted to any of the pending files and that they should remain on hold.
However, a senior CMDA official is said to have subsequently issued a circular directing that all pending files be approved immediately.
Following this order, files from various lower-level departments were reportedly moved to the tables of senior officials. According to the allegations, one senior CMDA official approved 130 files within just three days.
Sources further allege that bribes were collected based on the square-footage of the proposed developments, with a fixed amount allegedly earmarked for both ministers and officials. A senior official is accused of amassing substantial sums through this process.
Reports claim that more than ₹100 crore was collected during the three-day period alone.
Among the projects cited is a proposal involving a hotel property in Alwarpet that was reportedly being demolished to make way for a large commercial complex. According to the allegations, the project had been denied approval during the previous government because the proposed construction violated existing regulations.
However, it is alleged that the file was subsequently approved after a payment of ₹30 crore was made.
The same company is also alleged to have previously constructed an apartment complex on approximately 1.5 acres of temple land in Koyambedu. Sources claim that the company later acquired an alternative parcel of land and handed it over in exchange before obtaining government approval for the Koyambedu property. The official in question is also alleged to have granted approvals related to that transaction, with substantial sums of money reportedly changing hands.
The allegations that 130 files were approved within three days and that more than ₹100 crore was generated through the process have triggered intense discussion in administrative and political circles.
According to reports, the approval granted to the specific Alwarpet project eventually came to the attention of a powerful minister within the TVK government. Following this, the official concerned was reportedly transferred to what sources described as a “dummy post” carrying the rank of District Revenue Officer (DRO).
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