As the bustling metropolis of Chennai continues to expand and evolve, it is important to understand the city’s planning and development nuances. To do this, we must explore the intricate yet symbiotic relationship between the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) and the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP).

For starters, an analogy
Have you embarked on a journey where you were initially booked on an Air India flight, but you instead traverse the skies aboard a Lufthansa aircraft or vice versa? This does not necessarily connote that one airline is superior to the other. This practice is referred to as a Codeshare partnership where both airlines coexist, take advantage of the right synergies, and come together to be mutually beneficial. This allows them to exist in harmony with one airline serving certain geographical regions and the other taking care of the rest, thus providing a comprehensive flight network for customers.

The Dynamic Duo
In a similar fashion, together, the CMDA and the DTCP are responsible for the expansion, development, and planning of the Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) and the rest of Tamil Nadu respectively, thus complementing each other to bring about the right synergies.

…And their functions

Their Roles and Responsibilities largely comprise the below-mentioned points.

• While the CMDA carries out surveys of the Chennai Metropolitan Planning Area to prepare reports for further use, the DTCP carries out surveys of the Region for the same purpose.
• They both secure the layout and development of the new town in accordance with the new town development plan.
• They both prepare existing land use maps necessary for the purpose of preparing any development plans.
• They both prepare a master plan, a detailed development plan, and a new town development plan for the areas falling under their respective governances.  
• They both provide approvals for any development within their purview based on the consolidated and detailed Development Control Regulations (DCR) prepared by the Tamil Nadu Government in 2019, leading to an understanding that both are one and the same, with the demarcation predominantly being a procedural thing than Urban vs Rural as it is portrayed. 

So, the difference? 
Nothing stark! 
Thus, both CMDA and DTCP execute the same set of functions with each of them playing important roles in surveying, planning, and developing the Chennai Metropolitan Planning Area and have been actively assessing the growth of Tamil Nadu.

So, will Lufthansa and Air India continue to operate in the same fashion?
Amidst the ever-evolving market environment, shifting consumer trends, and fluctuating economic conditions, both airlines continually assess their Codesharing strategies to maximize their benefits. 
Similarly, the CMDA and the DTCP have been leveraging Codesharing strategies to maximize their contributions. They both are actively involved in strategizing expansion plans in Chennai and other cities to ensure they are fulfilling their respective responsibilities. Notably, the CMDA has seen tremendous growth in its area coverage, increasing to 5904 sq. Km. as per the latest report in October 2022, with Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram, and Ponmar likely to be added to its jurisdiction.

Lufthansa vs. Air India - The Perception
Lufthansa is an airline that originates from Europe and has a better brand image and perception compared to Air India, whose home is a developing nation, India. This difference in the pre-conceived notions is what leads people to believe that Lufthansa is superior to Air India. But that indeed is not the case.

On a similar note, the CMDA has under its remit the metropolitan core of Chennai, as well as land parcels in major cities and urban centers, granting these properties prestigious and in-demand qualities. Capitalizing on this luxurious image, property developers tend to command higher prices for plots and apartments.

On the other hand, the DTCP operates in more outlying and mushrooming areas of the state, thus is usually associated with the term “Affordability”. As a result of this reputation, property developers are compelled to quote lower in comparison to CMDA properties.

Educating the public and creating awareness that both DTCP and CMDA have similar functions is the need of the hour to erase the perception that is currently ruling the minds.

As a matter of fact, DTCP properties are at a significant advantage as the initial investment is lower compared to a CMDA property and the scope of appreciation is higher as the area is still under development – a double benefit boost for a wise buyer.

Be it Lufthansa or Air India, the end-user experience is all that matters!
Well, Isn’t it? Air India and Lufthansa guarantee that their passengers are treated to a superior experience, traveling from origin to destination in a state-of-the-art Boeing or Airbus aircraft.
Akin to this, the DTCP and the CMDA collaborate to provide a seamless experience to us, with every necessary and deserving permission and approval being granted.

Final Words
So, take off on your holiday, take in picturesque vistas, trust the airline to do its job, and do not worry about mild turbulences. As the aircraft touches down and the captain deploys the landing gear, take a moment to bask in the satisfaction of a stress-free experience and a safe arrival, and enjoy your holiday with a sense of contentment.

Similarly, embark on your property hunt with a sense of ease, and be sure to validate the legitimacy of corresponding approvals instead of being overly concerned with whether the approval is that of DTCP or CMDA.  Ultimately, the deciding factor in securing your dream property is the location, and its proximity to healthcare, educational, recreational, and other amenities, and these make all the difference!