North Chennai

Chennai is the most adaptable city you will ever visit. Chennai offers a wide range of experiences, from market streets to malls, beaches to ports, businesses to IT parks, street cuisine to five-star hotels. Ennore, Minjur, Central, Broadway, Sowcarpet, Red Hills, Puzhal, and numerous other areas can be found in Chennai's northern region.

Since the 16th century, North Chennai has been a well-known area because of its proximity to Chennai port. The economy of this area has been based on port-related industries for many years, including fishing, transportation, and logistics. The economic landscape of this area has changed along with the metropolis.

People from many backgrounds, cultures, and races can be found in North Chennai. They coexist as a group despite having different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Most residents of Chennai's north have ties to the area's major manufacturers, while others are involved in the fishing and transportation industries. North Chennai residents work in all fields of skill, from fishing to pawn shops, everyday laborers to IT leaders, and make up half of Chennai's workforce.

Geographically, the region north of the Cooum River, known as North Madras, was once a collection of fishing hamlets that expanded into a township when the British began building Fort St. George on a section of coastal property they had leased from a native leader on August 22, 1639.

While certain portions of North Chennai are residential and end at the Red Hills, the majority of the region is industrial. North Madras is a politically and culturally active region. The DMK and the Labour Movement were both founded in Washermanpet. With a past that helped to shape this city's identity, North Chennai exudes an old-world elegance.

The Origin

In the village of Madrasapattinam, an East India Company factory was established, and here is where North Chennai had its start. The East India Company's Francis Day and the Vijayanagar Empire's Damera Venkata Nayaka, a Padmanyaka Velama king, signed the grant on August 22, 1639, commonly recognized as the city's founding date and honored as Madras Day. A modest fort was built, with work beginning in 1640 and ending in 1652. This would eventually change and grow to become the Fort St. George that we know today by the end of the 18th century. The region had fishing hamlets before the city was established. Georgetown was Chennai's Central Business District until the 1950s, when T Nagar replaced it. Georgetown remained a posh residential neighborhood until the early 1900s when it became densely populated.

Connectivity

North Chennai's connectivity with South Chennai and West Chennai has improved tremendously since phase 1 of the metro train was recently completed. Corridor 1 of the metro rail runs from the Chennai Airport to Washermenpet, providing benefits for the surrounding communities of Washermenpet and George Town. West Chennai is traversed by Metro Rail Corridor 2, which runs from St. Thomas Mount to Chennai Central. The corridor passes through the North Chennai neighborhoods of Kilpauk and Purasawalkam.

One of the main streets of Chennai's George Town, the business district, is First Line Beach. The highway links Quibble Island in the south with Royapuram in the north. The road features a number of historically significant structures that date back to the colonial era and serves as the primary route linking the former White Town and Blacktown. Vepery and Perambur, with their aura of Raj nostalgia and old Railway houses, are located to the west, past the forested Seven Wells, the Basin Bridge power stations, and the expansive grounds of Binny Mills, which will soon be a gated township. A relatively affordable transit system serving nearly all of Chennai's neighborhoods in North Chennai includes MTC buses, electric trains, and metros. Therefore, if you live in North Chennai, connectivity won't be a problem at all.

Social and Educational Infrastructure

The center of manufacturing is in North Chennai. It is a major industrial hub with ports, power plants, petrochemical plants, the automotive industry, the fishing industry, and other businesses. The Seventh-century Thiruvotriyur Temple, one of the 'Padal Petra Sthalams, is one of the many historic structures in North Chennai that are considered sacred by Tamil Saivites. Pattinathadikal, a Siddhar, gained Samathi there as well.

Numerous reputable colleges are located in North Chennai as well as some of its surrounding Central Chennai neighborhoods. Some of the well-known colleges in North Chennai are Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Madras Medical College, Kilpauk Medical College, Sree Muthukumaraswamy College, Thiruthangal Nadar Arts College, Dr. Ambedkar Government Arts College, and Kumaran Institute of Technology.

With hospitals like Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Perambur Railway Hospital, MGM Healthcare, Billroth Hospital, Apollo Hospital, Srinivas Priya Hospital, KVT Speciality Hospital, and Sugam Hospital, this area of Chennai also has access to medical amenities.

Broadway, Sowcarpet, and Parrys are three bustling, multi-lane shopping avenues in North Chennai. The wholesale goods sold in these congested markets are well known. The streets of Bunder and Devaraja Mudali are well-known for their plastic decorations, stationery, glassware, and other goods. The exquisite bangles and toys on Perumal Mudali Street are its main draws.

Tourist Attraction

One of Chennai's underrated regions, North Chennai is a hidden gem. In North Chennai, there are several attractions to see, including beaches, forts, food carts, and bird-watching spots. Because of its slang language, population, locations, etc., North Chennai is very different from the rest of Chennai. In North Chennai, you can see all different kinds of people, from fishermen to IT employees, living in huts to condominiums, Bullock carts to Benz cars, MTC buses to metro rail.

The home of Gaana melodies is just one of the numerous things that make North Chennai famous. There are numerous stores, clothing stores, and fish markets there. In this region, the dry fish known as Karuvadu is particularly well-known. Beaches, a fishing harbor, old-style temples, and theatres give this place a lively character. Additionally, there are numerous outdoor stadiums for cricket, football, and boxing in this area of Chennai.

The Pulicat Lake and Bird Sanctuary is a wonderful place to go bird watching and take a boat ride. November through February is the ideal time to go bird-watching. Fort Geldria, one of the first colonies in India, was constructed 400 years ago by the Dutch East India Company. The fort is currently located close to Pulicat Lake and a bird sanctuary.

One of Chennai's busiest neighborhoods, Sowcarpet is home to historic structures and little pathways. North Indian Chaat cuisine is famed in Sowcarpet, and eateries like Kakada Ramprasad and Agarwal Bhawan shouldn't be missed. North Chennai's Royapuram neighborhood is known for its fishing. See fishermen fixing boats and bringing in freshly caught fish by visiting the Groynes and Piers. Washermanpet is Chennai's center for the textile industry. It is widely known for its jewellery and textile stores.

Upcoming Infrastructural Development

According to reports, the government has requested information from 11 agencies regarding any gaps in North Chennai's access to services like water supply, infrastructure, rubbish removal, street management, school education, transportation, and sports.

The "Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam" program seeks to overcome infrastructure gaps and deficiencies. It will be carried out by integrating existing programs with money from the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. Special plan for the development of backward areas of North Chennai was planned for 2018. The initiative is focusing on Madhavaram, Manali, Thiruvottiyur, Tondiarpet, and Royapuram as its target locations.

Investment benefits

North Chennai, a region once overlooked, is now emerging as a hotspot for real estate investment. The transformation is so profound that the skyline of North Chennai is set to change dramatically. Over the next five years, at least eight high-rise buildings, ranging from eight to 35 stories, are planned in areas such as Perambur, Sembium, Madhuravoyal, Korattur, Ayanavaram, Madhavaram, and Surapet. These high-rises are part of the 18 structures that the CMDA’s multi-story building panel has recommended for government approval.

The government’s launch of a 1,000 crore North Chennai development plan has spurred optimism among CMDA officials and builders. They anticipate the rise of more high-rises in the region, signaling a significant infrastructural development. This development is not just limited to residential spaces but also extends to the commercial sector.

North Chennai’s strategic location is one of its major advantages. It is in close proximity to major hubs like the Ambattur Industrial Estate, Ennore Port, and Oragadam Industrial Estate. This easy access to prominent hubs has increased the demand for real estate, making it an attractive location for businesses.

The presence of the Chennai Port, one of India’s busiest ports, has led to the development of various commercial and logistics centres in the region. This, in turn, has increased the demand for commercial real estate in the area.

North Chennai is also emerging as a hub for IT and ITES firms. The demand for office space is on the rise, and the region is responding with the development of various commercial buildings, including IT parks and office complexes, equipped with modern facilities and amenities.

The rise in startups and freelancers in North Chennai has led to an increase in the demand for co-working spaces. Several co-working facilities have sprung up in the neighbourhood, offering economical and flexible workplaces to entrepreneurs and small enterprises.

One of the most appealing aspects of North Chennai is its affordability. The region offers a diverse range of plots, flats, individual houses, catering to the varied needs of prospective buyers. This diversity in property types makes it a promising venture for those looking to invest in real estate.