Chennai: Applicants thronged the CMDA office at Egmore as the last day for registration for CMDA-approved plots came to an end on Monday.
Sources say almost 70,000 applicants have applied for residential and commercial plots in four areas in the city.
The applicants have been asked to deposit 20 per cent of the plot cost and the rest could be paid in instalments. A draw of lots for all four schemes would happen on February 8. The registrations were on for 248 plots available in Gudalur, Manali, Sathangadu and KWMC.
Officials at CMDA say, “The registration started a month back. There was an overwhelming response. The applications will be vetted and checked for all filled-in details.”
Talking of the response from the public, an official said, “Development has been good in these areas, especially Manali, where residential plots are open for booking, and the prices are below the market prices making them attractive to prospective customers.”
They add, “The places are presently well-connected with the city.” It was a jam-packed scene outside the CMDA office with queues stretching out of the gates with people clutching application forms. The Gandhi Irwin road just outside the building was converted into one-way and later closed down for vehicular movement as half the road was clogged with parked vehicles of applicants.
The photocopy shops in the area did brisk business, while people from the nearby areas were seen making a fast buck selling copies of the forms which are available for free on the CMDA website.
Rangarajan, a resident of Egmore, who presently lives in a rented house, was one of the applicants. He said, “I came to know of the scheme late or I would have come early. The plots are below the market rates and it will be very helpful.”
People who successfully registered were seen dolling out advice to the rest who were waiting in lines or joining them.
