Did you know that Gandhinagar in Chennai was the first planned layout of Madras? Let’s step back in time to uncover the story of this Chennai neighborhood.
In May 1947 the Madras Co-operative House Construction Society formed. The goal was to meet the increasing demand for houses in Madras. Daniel Thomas, Minister for Housing, spearheaded this initiative. The society aimed to create modern neighborhood units. These units would include house sites and amenities. Parks playgrounds schools shopping centers and more were planned.
Of the three areas chosen the Society purchased land in Adyar. This large piece of land measured 131 acres and cost Rs 1600000. A layout sub-committee was formed to oversee the planning. The committee included directors and engineers.
Gandhinagar was planned as a self-contained unit. Paved roads sidewalks underground sewerage and water supply were included. Electric lights were also part of the plan. About 23 acres were set aside for roads. Two acres were for shops and markets. Seven acres were for public buildings. Around 77 acres were designated for 332 house sites.
The prices for the house sites were fixed according to size. The cost was Rs 5700 Rs 3800 and Rs 2000. These prices were for A B and C class sites respectively. An 18-acre area was planned as a park with lawns. It would be near the Adyar River.
Three classes of houses were proposed costing Rs 15000 Rs 10000 and Rs 5000. These costs excluded the site value. Mr Jambulinga Naicker designed these houses. Members could choose from the designs.
House sites were given on hire purchase. Members had to buy shares equal to the site value. They paid 1/5 of the construction cost upon moving in. The rest was paid in annual installments over twenty years.
The layout included four Main Roads three Crescent Park Roads three Canal Cross Roads and three Cross Streets. These names came later. Most roads were 40 feet wide except for a few 50 feet wide roads.
The layout earmarked land for various amenities. These included a swimming pool markets a boat club tennis courts and a playground. A private school and an aided school came up later. A temple and private houses replaced market areas. A social club now stands where the boat club was planned. A cricket ground occupies the park area.
Originally every street had an open drain for rainwater runoff. This drained into the Adyar River. Of the original 332 independent houses only 151 remain. The rest have been replaced by multi-story apartments. This vertical development began in the late 1970s.
Many eminent people have lived in Gandhinagar. Four I.C.S officers lived there. Carnatic musicians and film personalities also resided here. Lakshmi Gandhi lived on 4th Main Road. Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa briefly lived on Second Crescent Park Road.
Today Gandhinagar stands as a testament to early urban planning in Chennai. Its history is rich with community development and cultural significance. It is a place where many stories intertwine.