In a significant push to boost infrastructure in the northern part of the city, Tamil Nadu's Deputy Chief Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin, inaugurated a series of crucial development projects on Sunday. The initiatives, spanning power, water supply, street lighting, and education, are part of the comprehensive North Chennai Development Scheme aimed at ensuring balanced growth across the capital.
Powering Progress: New Substation to Benefit Thousands
The cornerstone of Sunday's launch was the inauguration of the newly constructed Broadway 33/11kV substation on Davidson Road. Built by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) at a cost of ₹18.24 crore, this facility is expected to revolutionize power supply in the area.
The substation has been energized with two 8mVA transformers and five 11kV feeders. According to officials, it will effectively address persistent low-voltage issues and guarantee an uninterrupted power supply. The project will directly benefit over 15,000 domestic and commercial consumers in key localities including Broadway, Mannadi, Sowcarpet, Kothawal Chavadi, NSC Bose Road, Muthialpet, and Seven Wells.
An important function of the new substation will be to divert approximately 10mVA of load from the older East George Town, Pookadai, and High Court substations. This strategic shift is designed to ease the pressure on the ageing electrical infrastructure and enhance overall grid reliability.
A Multi-Sector Development Blitz
The power project is just one component of a larger plan. Under the North Chennai Development Scheme, a total of 16 power projects are being implemented with a combined outlay of ₹1,034.24 crore. The funding for these projects is shared, with ₹1,000.39 crore coming from the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and ₹33.85 crore from the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA).
Beyond electricity, the Deputy Chief Minister also inspected the construction of underground and overhead drinking water storage tanks with a combined capacity of 15 lakh litres. These tanks are being built by Chennai Metrowater at an estimated cost of ₹27 crore.
In a move to improve public safety and aesthetics, Udhayanidhi Stalin commissioned 128 new streetlights installed on both sides of Prakasam Road at Broadway. This initiative, executed by the Greater Chennai Corporation, involved an expenditure of ₹1.26 crore.
Boosting Educational Infrastructure
Recognizing the need for social infrastructure, the minister laid the foundation stone for a Chief Minister's Study Centre and Modern Library building. This educational facility, to be constructed by the CMDA, is projected to cost around ₹23.06 crore and promises to be a valuable resource for the residents of North Chennai.
The event was attended by key dignitaries including HR&CE Minister P K Sekar Babu, Electricity Minister S Sivasankar, and Chennai Mayor R Priya. The collective launch of these diverse projects underscores the state government's focused strategy on inclusive and equitable urban development, specifically targeting the long-term needs of North Chennai.
