26 Jul 2025

Croma, the electronics and consumer durables retail arm of Infiniti Retail Ltd under the Tata Group, has expanded its retail network with the opening of a new outlet in Tambaram West, Chennai. This becomes the brand's 22nd store in the city and 38th in Tamil Nadu. With increasing demand for premium electronics in the region, the move reinforces Croma's commitment to strengthening its presence in high-growth urban pockets. The newly launched store spans 6,540 sq ft and is part of the RR Shopping Complex on Mudichur Road.Read more

21 Jul 2025

Vishnusurya Projects and Infra Ltd has bagged an INR 103.07 crore contract from JWIL Infra Ltd for the execution of a pipeline project tied to a major desalination initiative near Chennai. The scope includes laying, testing, and commissioning pipelines, along with civil construction, for a 400 MLD desalination plant at Perur. The project, awarded to JWIL Infra by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board, aims to supply potable water to nearly 22.67 lakh residents across Tambaram and 20 surrounding panchayats.Read more

21 Jul 2025

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has released its third master plan, introducing higher Floor Space Index (FSI) allowances near transport corridors to promote vertical, transit-oriented development. This move aims to curb urban sprawl and support compact, sustainable growth across the newly expanded Chennai Metropolitan Area. The plan includes a phased rollout of FSI norms, tied to infrastructure upgrades in roads, water, sewage, and public transit. Built on extensive stakeholder input, it emphasises inclusivity, accountability, and performance monitoring. Key features include TOD zones, walkable neighbourhoods, blue-green infrastructure, and satellite town development-signalling a bold shift toward smarter urban planning and climate resilience.Read more

17 Jul 2025

Office space solutions provider 91Springboard has made its foray into Chennai by leasing an entire commercial building in Guindy. With this 28,000 sq ft facility, Chennai becomes the ninth city in the company's pan-India network, which now spans over 1.5 million sq ft and includes 30,000 desks. The new centre will feature a mix of ready-to-use private suites and customised built-to-suit workspaces. 91Springboard attributed Chennai's commercial real estate growth to rising demand from sectors such as IT, BFSI, and Global Capability Centres.Read more

07 Jul 2025

Epson India has inaugurated its first ink tank printer manufacturing facility near Chennai, marking a major milestone under the 'Make in India' initiative. Located in Sriperumbudur and set to begin operations in October 2025, the plant-established with partner RIKUN-will initially produce Epson's EcoTank printers. These cartridge-free printers are known for their cost efficiency and eco-friendliness. Epson Global President Junkichi Yoshida highlighted the company's commitment to sustainability and local production. With over 100 million EcoTank units sold worldwide, including 8 million in India, Epson aims to enhance supply chain agility and deepen its presence in the Indian market through this facility.Read more

02 Jul 2025

Ample Parks, a joint venture between Actis and Mahindra Lifespaces, has launched its first Grade-A industrial and logistics park at Mahindra World City near Chennai. Spread across 71 acres, the project is set to generate 11,000 new jobs and INR 110 crore in annual revenue. With 2.1 million sq ft of leasable space, the park caters to the rising demand for high-quality industrial infrastructure. Designed with sustainability in focus, half of the power needs will be met through renewable energy. Expansion plans include key metros and tier-2 cities across India.Read more

19 Jun 2025

Volkswagen India has launched two Performance Centres in Chennai- on Mount Road and in Ambattur- as part of its premium retail strategy to showcase the new Golf GTI and Tiguan R-Line. These centres mark the first in a planned network of 12 across the country. Deliveries of the Golf GTI have begun, with expanded access to the Tiguan R-Line also underway. Designed to offer a luxury experience through multisensory engagement, the centres aim to elevate Volkswagen's brand presence. With this move, the company's Tamil Nadu network now includes 27 sales and 19 service outlets, signalling a strong focus on upscale customer engagement.Read more

19 Jun 2025

Chennai-based real estate firm DRA has partnered with the Greater Chennai Corporation to launch a INR 1 crore beautification project on Sir V.P. Raman Road (Lloyds Road) under Tamil Nadu's "Namakku Naame" initiative. The four-month Public-Private Partnership aims to transform the bustling stretch into a sustainable, walkable, and aesthetically vibrant urban space. Planned upgrades include LED streetlights, landscaped walkways, public seating, and smart signage. DRA Managing Director Ranjeeth Rathod highlighted the initiative as a reflection of civic pride and community-focused progress. The project was inaugurated in the presence of senior civic officials, showcasing a strong model of public-private collaboration in urban renewal.Read more

10 Jun 2025

Chennai's residential rental market is witnessing sharp hikes, with year-on-year increases of up to 25% in key areas. Anarock data shows a 22.2% quarter-on-quarter rise in Q3 2024, the highest among major Indian metros. Localities near IT corridors like Velachery, Sholinganallur, and Taramani now see 1BHK rents ranging from INR 25,000 to INR 35,000 per month. Even outer suburbs like Pallavaram and Kolathur are no longer affordable. The surge is driven by demand from Global Capability Centres (GCCs), limited new housing supply, and property tax hikes. Middle-income tenants are moving to farther suburbs, while many professionals are opting for shared housing or co-living spaces. Comparisons to Bengaluru's rental trends are growing, raising concerns about Chennai's affordability. Without proactive housing policies and infrastructure improvements, the city risks facing long-term housing challenges similar to its southern counterpart.Read more

16 May 2025

Brigade Enterprises Ltd has acquired a 5.41-acre land parcel on Velachery Road in Chennai for INR 441.7 crore, aiming to develop a housing project with a gross development value (GDV) of approximately INR 1,600 crore. The Bengaluru-based real estate firm announced the acquisition in a regulatory filing earlier this week. The project is expected to offer around 0.8 million square feet of residential space. Managing Director Pavitra Shankar stated that the acquisition aligns with the company's strategy to expand its footprint in Chennai, which has now become its second largest market after consistent investments in business development.Read more

07 May 2025

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has recently imposed strict regulations aimed at reducing dust emissions from construction activities in response to rising air pollution levels. Builders are now required to install high barricades, utilize dust suppression techniques, and ensure proper waste management. Non-compliance could result in fines ranging from INR 10,000 to INR 500,000, depending on the project's scale and severity of violations. The GCC has also mandated 24/7 CCTV surveillance for high-rise constructions to monitor adherence. These measures aim to address the daily generation of approximately 800 metric tonnes of construction and demolition waste in the city.Read more

22 Apr 2025

Walmart has leased 460,000 sq. ft. of office space at Radial IT Park, Chennai, with a monthly rent of INR 3.26 crore and a 4% annual escalation, marking a major expansion of its India-based backend operations. The five-year lease, which began in January 2025, includes a INR 19.55 crore deposit. This move strengthens Walmart's tech and analytics capabilities in India, supporting global operations. Located in the ITPC hub managed by Ascendas India Trust, the facility joins a growing list of global firms choosing Chennai for their global capability centres. The deal underscores strong demand for Grade A tech-centric office spaces in India.Read more

09 Apr 2025

Horizon Industrial Parks, backed by Blackstone, started construction of a 3.16 lakh sq. ft. built-to-suit manufacturing facility in Chengalpattu, Chennai, for Yazaki India. The Japanese auto parts giant has now expanded its India presence to nearly 1 million sq. ft. across key industrial hubs including NCR, Hosur, and Chennai. This new facility is Yazaki's third collaboration with Horizon and reflects its commitment to sustainable and modern industrial infrastructure. The plant is designed for rooftop solar installations and will employ over 2,000 individuals, reinforcing Yazaki's focus on quality, safety, and timely execution.Read more

24 Mar 2025

The CBI's Economic Offences Branch, Chennai, has booked a landlord, builder, bank-valuers, buyers, and unknown-others for defrauding SBI of INR 5.5 crore through a fraudulent housing-loan. In 2020, siblings S Vakisan and S Deivanai secured a INR 4.26 crore loan for a Tiruporur villa, falsely-valued at INR 6.3 crore by bank-empanelled valuers. An audit later revealed the villa was built in 2016 and previously-mortgaged. The actual-value was INR 3.5 crore. The bank suspected the landowner's involvement and filed a CBI complaint. Following a Madras High Court directive, the CBI has registered a case for investigation.Read more

25 Feb 2025

Chennai's commercial real estate market is on a strong growth trajectory, with office space expected to exceed 100 million square feet by the end of 2026, up from 89 million square feet currently. Private equity investments have reached USD 1.19 billion in the past two years, supporting the development of modern office spaces. While the tech sector has traditionally dominated, the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sectors, along with life sciences, are increasingly driving demand. In 2024, life sciences absorbed 0.8 million square feet, a 60% jump from 2023. Additionally, Chennai ranks third in Global Capability Center (GOC) leasing, with 2.9 million square feet leased in 2024. Other Tamil Nadu cities, including Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli, are also witnessing commercial real estate growth, reflecting the region's evolving economic landscape.Read more

24 Feb 2025

The Madras High Court has ordered that seven unauthorized floors of a commercial complex in Pondy Bazar, Chennai, be demolished. A division bench rejected the builder's plea to regularize the illegal construction, saying that regularisation is not an absolute right but a one-time concession under special schemes. Previous instances, like the 2017 Madras High Court raid on illegal buildings and the 2019 Delhi Supreme Court direction for demolitions, reflect a uniform judicial attitude towards unauthorised buildings. The ruling stresses the necessity to follow planning legislations and detests the abuse of government schemes of regularisation.Read more

21 Feb 2025

CCI Group has reportedly planned an investment of more than INR 640 crore for developing over 2 million square feet of warehousing space in the second phase of its Chennai logistics hub. This will take the total investment made on the facility to INR 900 crore, increasing its overall capacity to 3 million square feet. The development will take place over 85 acres in the Polivakkam locality within the next 15 months. The facility will include both standard requirement warehouses and built-to-suit (BTS) segments, catering to industries such as e-commerce, automotive, FMCG, and manufacturing. The company aims to capitalise on Chennai's growing prominence as a logistics and supply chain hub. The expansion will be funded through a combination of promoter equity and construction finance.Read more