View source for Chennai

{{Short description|Megacity and capital of Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{redirect|Madras}}
{{About|the city|its eponymous district|Chennai district|other uses}}


{{Use Indian English|date=March 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Chennai
| official_name            = 
| other_name               = Madras
| nickname                 = Gateway of South India,<ref name="OT_ScorchingHot"/><ref name="OI_TourismDay2018"/><ref name="National_Unwrapped"/><ref name="OI_Turns375"/> Detroit of India,<ref name="USDept1997"/><ref name="Devonshire"/><ref name="USITC"/><ref name="EcoNews"/> Healthcare Capital of India,<ref name="CityGetsMostForeignTourists"/><ref name="Health capital"/><ref name="Hamid2012"/> Cultural Capital of South India<ref name="Kamath2000"/>
| settlement_type          = [[Metropolis]]<!-- Chennai is the mother city with a population of more than 10 million, so it is a megacity. If the page includes surrounding places, then it can be mentioned as metropolitan area -->
| image_seal               = 
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Chennai Central.jpg
| photo2a = Kapaleeswarar_Temple%2C_Mylapore%2C_Chennai.jpg
| photo2b = Valluvar_Kottam_Edit1.JPG
| photo3a = Chennai LabourStatue Closeup.jpg
| photo3b = Chennai - bird's-eye view.jpg
| photo4a = Chennai Kathipara bridge.jpg
| photo4b = Ripon Building Chennai.JPG
| spacing = 1
| size = 250
| position = center
| border = 0
| color = #000000
| foot_montage =  '''Clockwise from top''': [[Chennai Central railway station]]; [[Valluvar Kottam]]; [[Marina beach]]; [[Ripon Building]]; [[Kathipara junction]]; the [[Triumph of Labour]] and [[Kapaleeswarar Temple]]
}}
| image_map                = {{maplink|frame=yes|frame-width=300|frame-height=300|frame-align=center|type=shape|id=Q1352|stroke-colour=#C60C30|stroke-width=2|text=Interactive Map Outlining Chennai}}
| pushpin_map              = India Chennai#Tamil Nadu#India#Asia#Earth
| pushpin_mapsize          = 300
| pushpin_label_position   = left
| pushpin_map_alt          = 
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location in Chennai Metropolitan Area##Location in Tamil Nadu##Location in India##Location in Asia##Location in Earth
| coordinates              = {{Wikidatacoord|Q1352|region:IN-TN|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1        = State
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of regions of India|Region]]
| subdivision_type3        = [[Districts of Tamil Nadu|District]]
| subdivision_type4        = Former name
| subdivision_name1        = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Coromandel Coast|Coromandel]]
| subdivision_name3        = [[Chennai district]]{{efn|name=CMA|The Chennai Metropolitan Area also includes portions of [[Kanchipuram District|Kanchipuram]], [[Chengalpattu district|Chengalpattu]], [[Tiruvallur District|Tiruvallur]] districts adjoining the [[Chennai District]].}}
| subdivision_name4        = Madras
| established_title        = Established
| established_date         = 1639
| government_type          = [[Municipal Corporation (India)|Municipal Corporation]]
| governing_body           = [[Greater Chennai Corporation]]
| leader_party             = [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| leader_title1            = [[Mayor of Chennai|Mayor]]
| leader_name1             = [[Priya Rajan|Priya R.]]
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="mhupa.gov.in">{{cite web |title=Chennai: PhaseII |url=http://mhupa.gov.in/ray/csmc_ppt/7th_csmc_pilotphase_Chennai-PhaseII.pdf |access-date=24 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424080715/http://mhupa.gov.in/ray/csmc_ppt/7th_csmc_pilotphase_Chennai-PhaseII.pdf |archive-date=24 April 2014}}</ref><ref name="area">{{cite news |title=Chennai Expansion Could Be Tricky, Suggests History |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2015/aug/24/Chennai-Expansion-Could-Be-Tricky-Suggests-History-804135.html |access-date=30 May 2017 |work=The New Indian Express |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107160350/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2015/aug/24/Chennai-Expansion-Could-Be-Tricky-Suggests-History-804135.html |archive-date=7 November 2020}}</ref><ref name="thehindu.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/about-chennai-corporation/aboutCOC.htm |title=About Greater Chennai Corporation |work=Official Website of Greater Chennai Corporation |access-date=25 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602002913/http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/about-chennai-corporation/aboutCOC.htm |archive-date=2 June 2015 |url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |last=Balasubramanian |first=Harini |title=Chennai Metropolitan Area Set To Get Second-Biggest In India |url=https://www.proptiger.com/guide/post/chennai-metropolitan-area-set-to-expand |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=www.proptiger.com |language=en-in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chennai Metropolitan Area to become larger by over 1,000 villages |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2022/oct/22/chennai-metropolitan-areato-become-larger-by-over-1000-villages-2510707.html |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-26 |title=Chennai Metropolitan Authority orders expansion of city; 1225 villages to be added |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/chennai-city-expansion-new-villages-added-8230199/ |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf |title=Demographia World Urban Areas |publisher=Demographia |year=2022 |pages=21}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 1189
| area_total_sq_mi         = 459.0755
| area_metro_km2           = 5904
| area_metro_sq_mi         = 2279.547
| area_metro_footnotes     = {{-}}([[Chennai metropolitan area]]){{efn|name=CMA}}
| elevation_m              = 7
| elevation_ft             = 23
| population_total         = 12,395,000
| population_as_of         = 2022
| population_density_km2   = auto
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="Greater Chennai Corporation unveiled"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/about-chennai-corporation/aboutCOC.htm |title=About Greater Chennai Corporation |website=Official Website of Greater Chennai Corporation |access-date=27 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602002913/http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/about-chennai-corporation/aboutCOC.htm |archive-date=2 June 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| population_metro         = 8,653,521<br />8,917,749 (Extended UA)<ref name="extended UA 2011">{{cite web |title=India Stats: Million plus cities in India as per Census 2011 |url=http://pibmumbai.gov.in/scripts/detail.asp?releaseId=E2011IS3 |website=Press Information Bureau, Mumbai |publisher=National Informatics Centre |access-date=20 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630112755/http://pibmumbai.gov.in/scripts/detail.asp?releaseId=E2011IS3 |archive-date=30 June 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| population_metro_footnotes = <ref name="UA_2011">{{cite web |title=Tamil Nādu (India): State, Major Agglomerations & Cities – Population Statistics in Maps and Charts |url=http://www.citypopulation.de/India-TamilNadu.html |publisher=City population.de |access-date=13 October 2015}}</ref>
| population_rank          = [[List of most populous cities in India|6th]]
| population_blank1_title  = Metro rank
| population_blank1        = [[List of million-plus agglomerations in India|4th]]
| population_demonym       = Chennaiite<br>Chennaikaran (male), Chennaikari (female)
| demographics_type1       = Languages
| demographics1_title1     = Native
| timezone1                = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1              = +05:30
| postal_code_type         = [[Postal Index Number|Pincode(s)]]
| postal_code              = 600xxx
| area_code                = [[Telephone numbers in India|+91-44]]
| registration_plate       = TN-01 to TN-14, TN-18, TN-22, TN-85
| blank_name_sec1          = [[Purchasing Power Parity|GDP (PPP)]]
| blank_info_sec1          = 58.6-86 billion<ref>{{Cite web |title=Richest Cities Of India |work=businessworld.in / Brookings |url=https://www.businessworld.in/article/Richest-Cities-Of-India/28-06-2017-121011/ |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref><ref name="pricewater">{{cite web|url=https://www.ukmediacentre.pwc.com/imagelibrary/downloadMedia.ashx?MediaDetailsID=1562|title=Global city GDP rankings 2008-2025|publisher=[[Pricewaterhouse Coopers|PwC]]|access-date=16 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504031739/https://www.ukmediacentre.pwc.com/imagelibrary/downloadMedia.ashx?MediaDetailsID=1562|archive-date=4 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="McKinsey">{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/08/13/the_most_dynamic_cities_of_2025|title=The Most Dynamic Cities of 2025|publisher=Foreign Policy|access-date=24 August 2012|archive-date=28 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828041241/http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/08/13/the_most_dynamic_cities_of_2025|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Raghavan|first1=T.C.A. Sharad|title=Linking urban India to drive growth|url=http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/VZ2ZW6DSRqTj7PIxbVLcIK/Linking-urban-India-to-drive-growth.html|website=livemint|date=28 January 2015 |access-date=17 June 2015}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/|Chennai Corporation}}
| footnotes                = {{Notelist}}
| demographics1_title2     = Official
| demographics1_title3     = Minority
| demographics1_info1      = 
| demographics1_info2      = [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| demographics1_info3      = 
| pushpin_label            = Chennai
}}

'''Chennai''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=Ta-ind-Chennai_EshwerShiv.ogg|ˈ|tʃ|ɛ|n|aɪ}}, {{IPA-ta|ˈt͡ɕenːaɪ̯|lang}}), formerly known as '''Madras''',{{refn|{{IPAc-en|audio=Madras MW.ogg|m|ə|ˈ|d|r|ɑː|s}} or {{IPAc-en|-|ˈ|d|r|æ|s}}<ref>{{Citation |last=Jones |first=Daniel |author-link=Daniel Jones (phonetician) |title=English Pronouncing Dictionary |editor=Peter Roach |editor2=James Hartmann |editor3=Jane Setter |place=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |orig-year=1917 |year=2003 |isbn=3-12-539683-2}}</ref>|group=upper-alpha}} is the [[capital city]] of [[Tamil Nadu]], the southernmost [[states and territories of India|Indian state]]. It is the state's [[primate city]] both in area and population and is located on the [[Coromandel Coast]] of the [[Bay of Bengal]]. According to the 2011 Indian census, Chennai is the [[List of most populous cities in India|sixth-most populous city]] in India and forms the [[List of million-plus urban agglomerations in India|fourth-most populous urban agglomeration.]] Incorporated in 1866, the [[Greater Chennai Corporation]] is the oldest [[municipal corporation]] of India and the second oldest in the world after [[London]].

Historically, Chennai and surroundings were part of the [[Chola dynasty|Chola]], [[Pandya dynasty|Pandya]], [[Pallava dynasty|Pallava]] and [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagara]] kingdoms for many centuries. The coastal land, which then contained the fishing village '''Madrasapattinam''', was purchased by the British [[East India Company]] from the Nayak ruler [[Damarla Chennapa Nayaka]], in the 17th century. The British garrison established the Madras city and port, and built [[Fort St. George, India|Fort St. George]]—the first British fortress in India—which [[Battle of Madras|the French won over]] briefly in 1746, before becoming the winter capital of the [[Madras Presidency]], a [[Colonialism|colonial]] province of the [[British Raj]] in the [[Indian subcontinent]]. After [[Indian independence movement|India gained its independence]] in 1947, Madras continued as the capital city of the [[Madras State]] and present-day Tamil Nadu. The city was officially [[List of renamed Indian cities and states#Tamil Nadu|renamed]] as Chennai in 1996.

The city is coterminous with [[Chennai district]], which together with the adjoining suburbs constitutes the [[Chennai Metropolitan Area]],{{NoteTag|The term Chennai is often used to denote the Chennai Metropolitan Area, colloquially applied for the wider area than just the city. This area includes the city/district of Chennai, and adjacent parts from its three neighbouring districts. This wider usage of the term has been documented as far back as 1639, when the Madras Municipal Corporation was created.}} the [[List of urban areas by population|36th-largest urban area in the world by population]]<ref>{{cite web |title=UN Demographic Urban Areas |url=http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2.htm |access-date=12 October 2015 |publisher=UN stats}}</ref> and one of the largest metropolitan economies of India. As the traditional and de facto gateway of South India,<ref name="OT_ScorchingHot"/><ref name="OI_TourismDay2018"/><ref name="National_Unwrapped"/><ref name="OI_Turns375"/> Chennai is among the most-visited Indian cities by foreigners. It was ranked the 43rd most-visited city in the world in 2015 and 36th in 2019.<ref name="Che">{{cite web |last1=Bremner |first1=Caroline |title=Top 100 City Destinations Ranking |url=http://go.euromonitor.com/rs/805-KOK-719/images/2017%20Top%20100%20Cities%20Destinations%20Final%20Report.pdf |website=Euromonitor International |access-date=9 August 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223093124/http://go.euromonitor.com/rs/805-KOK-719/images/2017%20Top%20100%20Cities%20Destinations%20Final%20Report.pdf |archive-date=23 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Yasmeen |first1=Rabia |title=Top 100 city destinations |url=http://go.euromonitor.com/rs/805-KOK-719/images/wpTop100Cities19.pdf |publisher=Euromonitor International |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224065335/http://go.euromonitor.com/rs/805-KOK-719/images/wpTop100Cities19.pdf |archive-date=24 February 2021}}</ref> ''The Quality of Living Survey'' rates it as India's safest city.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lakshmi |first1=K. |title=Chennai rated the safest city in India |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/chennai-rated-the-safest-city-in-india/article8277935.ece |access-date=19 April 2016 |work=The Hindu |date=25 February 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108102249/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/chennai-rated-the-safest-city-in-india/article8277935.ece |archive-date=8 November 2020}}</ref> Chennai attracts 45 percent of [[Medical tourism|health tourists]] visiting India, and 30 to 40 percent of domestic health tourists.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chennai – India's Health Capital |publisher=India Health Visit |url=http://www.indiahealthvisit.com/chennai-health-capital.htm |access-date=1 September 2012 |archive-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818222035/http://www.indiahealthvisit.com/chennai-health-capital.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> As such, it is termed "India's health capital".<ref>{{cite news |title=The quality of air you breathe in Chennai is worse than in Delhi |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-quality-of-air-you-breathe-in-chennai-is-worse-than-in-delhi/article7422559.ece |access-date=15 July 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108142813/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-quality-of-air-you-breathe-in-chennai-is-worse-than-in-delhi/article7422559.ece |archive-date=8 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/air-quality-takes-a-turn-for-the-worse-nungambakkam-sees-pm10-levels-touch-a-maximum-of-173-microgramscubic-metre-in-2018-19/article28068120.ece |title=Chennai's air quality takes a turn for the worse |last=Ramakrishnan |first=Deepa H. |date=19 June 2019 |work=The Hindu |access-date=17 August 2019 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225142608/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/air-quality-takes-a-turn-for-the-worse-nungambakkam-sees-pm10-levels-touch-a-maximum-of-173-microgramscubic-metre-in-2018-19/article28068120.ece |archive-date=25 February 2021}}</ref> Chennai has the [[List of cities by GDP|fifth-largest urban economy]],<ref name="gdp" /> and had the third-largest [[expatriate]] population in India.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/realty-trends/growing-expat-community-favour-cluster-accomodation/articleshow/3983788.cms |title=Growing expat community favour cluster {{sic|accom|odation |nolink=y}} |date=15 January 2009 |access-date=29 December 2012|work=The Economic Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716083916/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/realty-trends/growing-expat-community-favour-cluster-accomodation/articleshow/3983788.cms |archive-date=16 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/hsbc-new-horizons/india-exploring-an-asian-giant |title=India – exploring an Asian giant |newspaper=The Guardian |date=February 2013}}</ref>

Ranked as a beta-level city in the [[Globalization and World Cities Research Network|Global Cities Index]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Global cities index 2015 |url=https://www.atkearney.com/research-studies/global-cities-index/2015/current-research-detail |publisher=A.T. Kearney |access-date=16 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923060620/https://www.atkearney.com/research-studies/global-cities-index/2015/current-research-detail |archive-date=23 September 2015}}</ref> Chennai was dubbed India's best city by ''[[India Today]]'' in 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-today-best-city-awards-2014-venkaiah-naidu-aroon-purie-shekhar-gupta-chennai/1/403196.html |title=India Today Best City Awards 2014: Chennai bags top honour |magazine=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spottedbylocals.com/blog/alpha-beta-and-gamma-cities/ |work=Classification of Cities |title=Alpha, Beta and Gamma cities |publisher=Spotted by Locals |access-date=4 April 2015}}</ref> It was named the "hottest" city (city worth visiting and worth living in for long term) by the [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]] in 2015, citing its amalgam of both modern and traditional values.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20150116-living-in-2015s-hottest-cities |title=The best places to live this year |author=Lindsey Galloway |work=BBC.com Travel}}</ref> It was the only South Asian city to feature on [[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]]'s "Top 10 food cities" in 2015,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/food-cities |title=Top 10 food cities |work=[[National Geographic (magazine)|National Geographic]] |date=22 January 2015 |access-date=12 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309194124/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/food-cities |archive-date=9 March 2021}}</ref> and ranked ninth on [[Lonely Planet]]'s best cosmopolitan cities of the world.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/chennai-named-9th-best-cosmopolitan-city-in-the-world/article6528783.ece |title=Chennai named 9th best cosmopolitan city in the world |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=12 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730144213/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-in-school/chennai-named-9th-best-cosmopolitan-city-in-the-world/article6528783.ece |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> In October 2017, Chennai was added to the [[UNESCO]] Creative Cities Network (UCCN) list for its rich musical tradition.<ref name="UCCNList">{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chennai-now-part-of-creative-cities-network/article20008340.ece |title=Chennai is now part of UNESCO's 'creative cities network' |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=11 November 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112055136/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chennai-now-part-of-creative-cities-network/article20008340.ece |archive-date=12 January 2021}}</ref> Chennai hosts more than one-third of India's automobile industry, and is a major [[film production]] center, home to the [[Tamil cinema|Tamil film industry]].

== Etymology ==
{{see also|Names of Chennai in different languages}}

The name ''Chennai'' was derived from the name of [[Damarla Chennapa Nayakadu|Damarla Mudirasa Chennappa Nayakudu]], father of Damarla Venkatapathy Nayak, a [[Nayak (title)|Nayak]] ruler who served as a general under [[Peda Venkata Raya|Venkata III]] of the [[Vijayanagar Empire|Vijayanagara Empire]] from whom [[East India Company|the British East India Company]] acquired the town in 1639.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chennai.tn.nic.in/chndistprof.htm#hist |title=District Profile, Chennai |publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu |access-date=27 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114174944/http://www.chennai.tn.nic.in/chndistprof.htm#hist |archive-date=14 January 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=C S Srinivasachari |title=History of the City of Madrae third-largest economys |year=1939 |pages=63–69 |publisher=P_Varadachary_And_co |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofthecity035512mbp}}</ref> As such, the city's name is of [[Telugu language]] origin.<ref>{{cite web |title=Origin And Foundation of Madras {{!}} TLPMS |url=http://tlpms.in/book-details.php?id=33 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902013856/http://tlpms.in/book-details.php?id=33 |archive-date=2 September 2018 |access-date=10 January 2017 |website=tlpms.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title={{!}} TLPMS |url=http://tlpms.in/activities.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210082351/http://tlpms.in/activities.php |archive-date=10 February 2017 |access-date=10 January 2017 |website=tlpms.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=S. Muthiah |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tbR_LLkqdI8C |title=Madras, Chennai: A 400-year Record of the First City of Modern India |publisher=Palaniappa Brothers |year=2008 |isbn=978-81-8379-468-8}}</ref> The first official use of the name ''Chennai'' is said to be in a sale deed, dated August 1639, to [[Francis Day of Madras|Francis Day]] of the East India Company, even before<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chennai.tn.nic.in/chndistprof.htm#hist |title=District Profile&nbsp;– Chennai |publisher=District Administration, Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104031434/http://www.chennai.tn.nic.in/chndistprof.htm#hist |archive-date=4 November 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[Chennakesava Perumal Temple, Chennai|Chennakesava Perumal Temple]] was built in 1646,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-columns/the-town-temple-resurrected/article2960548.ece |title=The 'Town Temple' resurrected |last=Muthiah |first=S. |date=4 March 2012 |work=The Hindu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307234509/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/history-and-culture/article2960548.ece |archive-date=7 March 2012 |location=Chennai, India |url-status=live}}</ref> while some scholars argue to the contrary.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/02/28/stories/2002022800030400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020815065408/http://thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/02/28/stories/2002022800030400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 August 2002 |title=Face behind the name |last=thmmn |website=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=7 March 2018}}</ref>

The name ''Madras'' is also of native origin, and has been shown to have been in use before the British established a presence in India.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/madras-is-not-alien/article6338551.ece |title=Madras is not alien |first=Suganthy |last=Krishnamachari |newspaper=The Hindu |date=21 August 2014 |via=www.thehindu.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119060322/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/madras-is-not-alien/article6338551.ece |archive-date=19 January 2021}}</ref> A Vijayanagara-era inscription dated to the year 1367 that mentions the port of Mādarasanpattanam, along with other small ports on the east coast, was discovered in 2015 and it was theorised that the aforementioned port is the fishing port of [[Royapuram]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/madras-is-not-alien/article6338551.ece |title=Madras is not alien |last1=Krishnamachari |first1=Suganthy |date=21 August 2014 |work=The Hindu |access-date=19 December 2015 |issue=Friday Review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119060322/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/madras-is-not-alien/article6338551.ece |archive-date=19 January 2021}}</ref> According to some sources, ''Madras'' is derived from Madraspattinam, a fishing village north of Fort St George.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xPUvqtdfjyAC&pg=PA181 |title=The Geography of India: Sacred and Historic Places |publisher=Britannica Educational Publishing |year=2011 |isbn=978-1-61530-202-4}}</ref> However, it is uncertain whether the name was in use before the arrival of Europeans.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/yw/2007/08/31/stories/2007083150020100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001091702/http://www.hindu.com/yw/2007/08/31/stories/2007083150020100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 October 2007 |title=Young World: And the city grew |last=Kurian |first=Nimi |date=31 August 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> British military mapmakers believed Madras was originally ''Mundir-raj'' or ''Mundiraj,'' which was the name of a Telugu community, Mudiraj, who were the native inhabitants of the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mudiraja.com/mudiraju_cities.html |title=MUDIRAJ BUILT CITIES |website=mudiraja.com |access-date=18 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321222042/http://www.mudiraja.com/mudiraju_cities.html |archive-date=21 March 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wnAIAAAAQAAJ |title=Routes in the Peninsula of India: Comprising the Whole of the Madras Presidency and Portions of the Adjacent Territories of Bengal and Bombay |last=F. H. |first=Scott |publisher=Pharoah and Co., Athenaeum Press |year=1853 |page=iv}}</ref>

There are also suggestions that it may have originated from the Portuguese phrase ''Mãe de Deus'' or ''Madre de Dios'', which means "[[mother of God]]", due to Portuguese influence on the port city, specifically referring to a Church of St. Mary.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/about-chennai-corporation/orginandGrowth.htm |title=Origin of the Name Madras |work=Corporation of Madras |access-date=25 January 2012 |archive-date=21 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921042917/http://chennaicorporation.gov.in/about-chennai-corporation/orginandGrowth.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In August 1996, the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]] officially [[Geographical renaming|changed]] the name from ''Madras'' to ''Chennai''. At that time many [[Renaming of cities in India|Indian cities underwent a change of name]].<ref name="NYTN">{{cite news |last=Tharoor |first=Shashi |title=In India's name game, cities are the big losers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/06/opinion/IHT-meanwhile-in-indias-name-game-cities-are-the-big-losers.html |work=[[International Herald Tribune]] |date=6 September 2002 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114184834/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/06/opinion/IHT-meanwhile-in-indias-name-game-cities-are-the-big-losers.html |archive-date=14 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/23/stories/2005092316520600.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060411174847/http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/23/stories/2005092316520600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 April 2006 |title=Walkout in State Assembly |date=23 September 2005 |access-date=28 December 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |author=Special Correspondent}}</ref> However, the name ''Madras'' continues in occasional use for the city,<ref>Kalpana (2003) ''Madras: The Architectural Heritage''<br />Muthiah (2004), ''Madras Rediscovered''<br />Ali (2005), ''Madras on Rainy Days''<br />Ashok & Balasubramanian (2005) ''Chennai latté: a Madras brew''<br />Chandrasekhar, Government Museum (2006) ''The wild ferns of Madras city and its immediate neighbourhood''<br />Maracayyā (2008), ''Madras: Tracing the Growth of the City since 1639''<br />Barlow (2009) ''The Story of Madras''<br />Muthiah (2011) ''A Madras Miscellany: A Decade of People, Places & Potpourri''
</ref> as well as for places named after the city such as [[University of Madras]], [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras|IIT Madras]], [[Madras Institute of Technology]], [[Madras Medical College]], [[Madras Veterinary College]], [[Madras Christian College]].

==History==

{{see also|History of Chennai|Timeline of Chennai history}}
[[File:Clive House.jpg|thumb|left|Clive House at [[Fort St. George]], the first English settlement in India, founded in 1639]]
[[File:Diogo_Lopes_de_Sequeira.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Diogo Lopes de Sequeira]], Viceroy of [[Portuguese India]], established the first European settlement in Chennai with the construction of the port of [[Mylapore|São Tomé de Meliapor]] in 1522.]]
[[File:Surrender of The City of Madras 1746.jpg|thumb|[[Battle of Madras|Surrender of the City of Madras]] in 1746 to de La Bourdonnais, by Jacques François Joseph Swebach]]
[[File:Fort St. George, Chennai.jpg|thumb|18th-century print of Fort St. George, the oldest English settlement in India]]
[[File:Church stmt.jpg|thumb|St. Thomas Mount, Chennai]]Stone age implements have been found near [[Pallavaram]] in Chennai. According to the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI), Pallavaram was a [[megalith]]ic cultural establishment, and pre-historic communities resided in the settlement.<ref>{{cite news |title=Road workers stumble upon ancient grinding stone in Pallavaram |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/road-workers-stumble-upon-ancient-grinding-stone-in-pallavaram/articleshow/6581764.cms |work=The Times of India |date=19 September 2010 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407175605/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/road-workers-stumble-upon-ancient-grinding-stone-in-pallavaram/articleshow/6581764.cms |archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref>

The region around Chennai has served as an important administrative, military, and economic centre for many centuries. During the 1st century [[common era|CE]], a poet and weaver named [[Thiruvalluvar]] lived in the town of [[Mylapore]] (a neighbourhood of present Chennai).<ref name="Chinmaya Trust">{{cite book |title=Awakening Indians to India (Hard Bound) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Nqmg3xeDmOMC |publisher=Central Chinmaya Mission Trust |page=215 |year=2008 |isbn=978-81-7597-433-3 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> From the 1st–12th century the region of present Tamil Nadu and parts of [[South India]] was ruled by the [[Cholas]].<ref name="Cholas">{{cite book |title=India: Food & Cooking: The Ultimate Book on Indian Cuisine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=orHWFRMKf4EC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320141922/http://books.google.com/books?id=orHWFRMKf4EC |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 March 2015 |publisher=Replika Press Pvt. Ltd. |page=21 |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-84537-619-2 |author=Pat Chapman }}</ref>

The [[Pallava dynasty|Pallavas]] of [[Kanchipuram|Kanchi]] built the areas of [[Mahabalipuram]] and Pallavaram during the reign of [[Mahendravarman I]]. They also defeated several kingdoms including the [[Chera Dynasty|Cheras]], Cholas and [[Pandyas]] who ruled over the area before their arrival. Sculpted caves and paintings have been identified from that period.<ref name="Daniélou & Hurry">{{cite book |title=A brief history of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Kwnv3I6qIosC&pg=PA173 |publisher=Alain Daniélou |page=173 |year=2003 |author1=Alain Daniélou |author2=Kenneth Hurry |isbn=978-1-59477-794-3}}</ref> Ancient coins dating to around 500 BCE have also been unearthed from the city and its surrounding areas. A portion of these findings belonged to the [[Vijayanagara Empire]], which ruled the region during the medieval period.<ref name="Ccoin">{{cite news |title=Chennai Coins-the Vijayanagara Connection |url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/leisure/article12576.ece |work=The Hindu |date=31 August 2009 |last=R. |first=Vaidyanadhan |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826075328/http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/leisure/article12576.ece |archive-date=26 August 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Kingdom of Portugal|Portuguese]] first arrived in 1522 and built a port called ''São Tomé'' after the Christian apostle, [[Thomas (apostle)|St. Thomas]], who is believed to have preached in the area between 52 and 70&nbsp;CE. In 1612, the [[Dutch East India Company|Dutch]] established themselves near [[Pulicat]], north of Chennai.<ref name="chennapatnam">{{cite web |title=Chennai History |url=http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/about-chennai-corporation/orginandGrowth.htm |work=Corporation of Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-date=21 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921042917/http://chennaicorporation.gov.in/about-chennai-corporation/orginandGrowth.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 20 August 1639 Francis Day of the [[East India Company]] along with the [[Nayak of Kalahasti]] [[Damarla Chennappa Nayakudu]], travelled to the [[Chandragiri]] palace for an audience with the Vijayanager Emperor [[Peda Venkata Raya]].<ref name="Madras land grant">{{cite book |title=''Symbols of substance : court and state in Nayaka period Tamilnadu'' |publisher=Oxford : Oxford University Press, Delhi |page=xix, 349 p., [16] p. of plates : ill., maps ; 22&nbsp;cm |year=1998 |author=Velcheru Narayana Rao, David Shulman, Sanjay Subrahmanyam |isbn=0-19-564399-2}}</ref> Day was seeking to obtain a grant for land on the Coromandel coast on which the company could build a factory and warehouse for their trading activities. He was successful in obtaining the lease of a strip of land about  {{cvt|6|mi|km|0|order=flip}} long and  {{cvt|1|mi|km|order=flip}} inland in return for a yearly sum of five hundred [[lakh]] [[Pagoda (coin)|pagodas]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.55644 |title=South India Under The Vijayanagar Empire Vol. 1 |first=H. |last=Heras |date=1 July 1927 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/about-chennai-corporation/orginandGrowth.htm |title=Welcome to Greater Chennai Corporation |website=www.chennaicorporation.gov.in |access-date=25 January 2012 |archive-date=21 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921042917/http://chennaicorporation.gov.in/about-chennai-corporation/orginandGrowth.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>James Talboys Wheeler, India Under British Rule; From the Foundation of the East India Company, TheClassics.us (12 September 2013), {{ISBN|978-1230394978}}</ref> On 22 August, he secured the land grant from local Nayak ([[Damarla Chennapa Nayakadu|Damarla Venkatadri Nayaka]] and his younger brother [[Aiyappa Nayaka]] of [[Poonamallee]]).<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3HCbDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA583 |title=FACETS OF CONTEMPORARY HISTORY |last1=Thilakavathy |first1=M. |last2=Maya |first2=R. K. |date=5 June 2019 |publisher=MJP Publisher |pages=583 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mXgSDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA180 |title=Christianity in India: From Beginnings to the Present |last=Frykenberg |first=Robert Eric |date=26 June 2008 |publisher=OUP Oxford |isbn=9780198263777 |language=en}}</ref> The region was then formerly a fishing village known as "Madraspatnam".<ref name="Ccoin"/> A year later, the Company built [[Fort St. George]], the first major English settlement in India,<ref name="Roberts.J.M">{{cite book |title=A short history of the world |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3QZXvUhGwhAC |publisher=Helicon publishing Ltd. |page=277 |year=1997 |author=Roberts J. M. |isbn=978-0-19-511504-8}}</ref> which became the nucleus of the growing colonial city and urban Chennai, grew around this Fort.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wagret |first=Paul |title=Nagel's encyclopedia-guide |publisher=Nagel Publishers |location=Geneva |year=1977 |series=India, Nepal |page=556 |isbn=978-2-8263-0023-6 |oclc=4202160}}</ref> Post independence the fort housed the Tamil Nadu Assembly until the new Secretariat building was opened in 2010, but shortly afterwards it was again moved back to Fort St. George, due to a change in the Government.<ref>{{Cite news |title=All eyes on new Assembly-Secretariat Complex |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article261427.ece |work=The Hindu |author=City Bureau |date=22 March 2010 |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831045804/http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article261427.ece |archive-date=31 August 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1746, Fort St. George and Madras [[Battle of Madras|were captured]] by the French under General [[Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais|La Bourdonnais]], the Governor of [[Mauritius]], who plundered the town and its outlying villages.<ref name=chennapatnam/> The British regained control in 1749 through the [[Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748)|Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle]] and strengthened the town's fortress wall to withstand further attacks from the French and [[Hyder Ali]], the [[Kingdom of Mysore|Sultan of Mysore]].<ref name="Tucker">{{cite book |title=A global chronology of conflict |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h5_tSnygvbIC&pg=PA756 |publisher=ABC—CLIO |page=756 |year=2010 |author=Spencer C. Tucker |isbn=978-1-85109-667-1}}</ref> They resisted a [[Siege of Madras|French siege attempt]] in 1759.<ref>{{cite news |title=Madras Miscellany&nbsp;- When Pondy was wasted |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/history-and-culture/article900212.ece |work=The Hindu |date=21 November 2010 |last=S. |first=Muthiah |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203122435/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/history-and-culture/article900212.ece |archive-date=3 December 2010}}</ref> In 1769 the city was threatened by Mysore and the British were defeated by Hyder Ali, after which the [[Treaty of Madras]] ended the war.<ref name="Radhey Shyam">{{cite book |title=History of Modern India:1707 A.D. to 2000 A.D |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MS_jrForJOoC&pg=PA94 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers and Distributors |page=94 |year=2002 |author=Radhey Shyam Chaurasia |isbn=978-81-269-0085-5}}</ref> By the 18th century, the British had conquered most of the region around Tamil Nadu and the northern modern–day states of [[Andhra Pradesh]] and [[Karnataka]], establishing the [[Madras Presidency]] with Madras as the capital.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Madras-Presidency |title=Madras Presidency |encyclopedia=Britannica |access-date=12 October 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Madras (Baedeker, 1914).jpg|thumb|left|Map of Madras, {{circa|1914}}]]
Gradually, the city grew into a major naval base and became the central administrative centre for the British in South India.<ref name=southasia/> The city served as the baseline for the [[Great Trigonometrical Survey|Great Trigonometrical Survey of India]] started on 10 April 1802.<ref name="Gill">Gill, B. (2001); "THE BIG MAN. Surveying Sir George Everest", in: ''Professional Surveyor Magazine'', Vol. 21 Nr 2. Retrieved [http://www.krcmar.ca/sites/default/files/2000_Winter_The%20Big%20Man-%20Surveying%20Sir%20George_1.pdf online] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210152803/http://www.krcmar.ca/sites/default/files/2000_Winter_The%20Big%20Man-%20Surveying%20Sir%20George_1.pdf |date=10 February 2017 }} 8 March 2016.</ref> With the advent of [[Rail transport in India|railways in India]] in the 19th century, the thriving urban centre was connected to other important cities such as Bombay and Calcutta, promoting increased communication and trade with the [[hinterland]].<ref name="Bret Wallach">{{cite book |title=Understanding the cultural landscape |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q2J3YXhZaG8C |publisher=The Guilford Press |page=195 |year=2005 |author=Bret Wallach |isbn=978-1-59385-119-4}}</ref> Sir [[Arthur Lawley]] was Governor of Madras from 1906 to 1911 and promoted modern agriculture, industry, railways, education, the arts and more democratic governance.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lawley-sir-arthur-7111 |title=Biography of Arthur Lawley |chapter=Lawley, Sir Arthur (1860–1932) |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |access-date=12 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023063306/http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lawley-sir-arthur-7111 |archive-date=23 October 2020}}</ref> The Governor lived in Government House, Fort St George, and had a country home at [[Guindy]], with access to a golf course, hockey pitches, riding stables and the Guindy Horse Racing Track.<ref name=Madras1>Sir Arthur Lawley, Eloquent Knight Errant, Chapter 6. Catastrophe, Conspiracy, Celebration. The Benefits of Empire, Lady Lawley Cottage (Western Australian Red Cross) 2008 iBook</ref><ref name=Madras2>Notes on the Administration of Sir Arthur Lawley, Governor of Madras, 1906–1911. Madras Government Press, 1912</ref> In the First World War as Red Cross Commissioner in Mesopotamia, he looked after the welfare of Indian soldiers.<ref name=Madras3>A Message from Mesopotamia, Sir Arthur Lawley, Hodder and Stoughton, London. 1917.</ref> Madras was the only Indian city to be [[Bombardment of Madras|attacked]] by the [[Central Powers]] during [[World War I]],<ref name="Hodge">{{cite book |title=Encyclopedia of the age of imperialism, 1800–1914 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y5zTkGKy4wEC |last=Hodge |first=Carl Cavanagh |page=446 |publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]] |isbn=978-0-313-04341-3 |year=2008}}</ref> when an oil depot was shelled by the German [[light cruiser]] {{SMS|Emden|1906|6}} on 22 September 1914, as it raided shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean, causing disruption to shipping.<ref name="emdenshelling">{{cite book |title=Southern India: Its History, People, Commerce and Industrial resources |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8WNEcgMr11kC&pg=PA52 |publisher=Foreign and Colonial Compiling and Publishing Company, London |pages=51–52 |year=1914 |isbn=81-206-1344-9 |author1=J W Bond |author2=Arnold Wright}}</ref>

After [[Indian independence movement|India gained its independence]] in 1947, the city became the capital of [[Madras State]], which was renamed as [[Tamil Nadu]] in 1969.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hubert-herald.nl/BhaTamilNadu.htm |title=Madras Renamed Tamil Nadu |work=Hubert Herald |access-date=12 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911082149/http://www.hubert-herald.nl/BhaTamilNadu.htm |archive-date=11 September 2019}}</ref> The violent [[Anti-Hindi agitations|agitations of 1965]] against the compulsory imposition of Hindi and in support of English in India in the state marked a major shift in the [[Politics of Tamil Nadu|political dynamics]] of the city and eventually it had a big impact on the whole state. Because of Madras and its people, English was not abolished as an official language, and remains an official language of India alongside Hindi.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chennai says it in Hindi |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/chennai-says-it-in-hindi/830371/0 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=14 August 2011 |author=V. Shoba |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615131810/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/chennai-says-it-in-hindi/830371/0 |archive-date=15 June 2013}}</ref> On 17 July 1996, the city known as Madras was officially renamed Chennai, in line with what was then a nationwide trend to using less Anglicised names.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/on-this-day/july-17-1996-madras-came-to-be-known-as-chennai |title=Madras renamed Chennai |date=17 July 2013 |publisher=mapsofindia.com |access-date=12 October 2015}}</ref> On 26 December 2004, an [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake|Indian Ocean tsunami]] lashed the shores of Chennai, killing 206 people in Chennai and permanently altering the coastline.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Impact of tsunami on meiofauna of Marina beach, Chennai, India |url=http://www.iisc.ernet.in/currsci/jul102005/34.pdf |journal=Current Science |volume=89 |issue=1 |last=Altaff |first=K |author2=J Sugumaran, Maryland S Naveed |date=10 July 2005 |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-date=22 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122094502/http://www.iisc.ernet.in/currsci/jul102005/34.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mohanty |first=Ashutosh |title=Impact of Tsunami in India |publisher=Expressindia |url=http://www.sc99ews.com/tsunami/impact.htm |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115231707/http://www.sc99ews.com/tsunami/impact.htm |archive-date=15 January 2013}}</ref> The [[2015 South Indian floods|2015 Chennai Floods]] submerged major portions of the city, killing 269 people and resulting in damages of {{INRConvert|86.4|b|0}}.<ref name="dna015">{{cite web |title=Tamil Nadu government pegs flood damage at Rs 8,481 crore, CM Jayalalithaa writes to PM Modi |publisher=DNA |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-tamil-nadu-government-pegs-flood-damage-at-rs-8481-crore-cm-jayalalithaa-writes-to-pm-modi-2148012 |date=23 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907224318/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-tamil-nadu-government-pegs-flood-damage-at-rs-8481-crore-cm-jayalalithaa-writes-to-pm-modi-2148012 |archive-date=7 September 2020}}</ref><ref name="industries">{{cite news |title=Tamil Nadu's deadly rains hit industries hard |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/514696/tamil-nadus-deadly-rains-hit.html |access-date=1 December 2015 |newspaper=Deccan Herald |date=30 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907212428/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/514696/tamil-nadus-deadly-rains-hit.html |archive-date=7 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/chennai-flood-death-toll-crosses-260-home-minister-says-situation-very-alarming/ |title=Chennai rains: Death toll crosses 260, Home Minister says situation 'very alarming' |newspaper=The Indian Express |date=2 December 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108112612/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/chennai-flood-death-toll-crosses-260-home-minister-says-situation-very-alarming/ |archive-date=8 November 2020}}</ref>

==Environment==
===Geography===
{{Main|Geography of Chennai}}
[[File:Chennai (6708362581).jpg|thumb|right|Cooum River near its mouth in Chennai city]]
Chennai is located on the [[Coastline of Tamil Nadu|south–eastern coast]] of India in the north–eastern part of Tamil Nadu on a flat coastal plain known as the [[Eastern Coastal Plains]]. Its average elevation is around  {{cvt|6.7|m|ft}},<ref>{{cite web |title=Geographical and physical features |publisher=[[Chennai District]] |url=http://chennai.nic.in/chndistprof.htm#geog |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730180830/http://chennai.nic.in/chndistprof.htm#geog |archive-date=30 July 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and its highest point is  {{cvt|60|m|ft}}.<ref name="highest-point">{{cite journal |last=Pulikesi |first=M |author2=P. Baskaralingam, D. Elango, V.N. Rayudu, V. Ramamurthi, S. Sivanesan |title=Air quality monitoring in Chennai, India, in the summer of 2005 |journal=Journal of Hazardous Materials |volume=136 |issue=3 |pages=589–596 |date=25 August 2006 |quote=Chennai is fairly low–lying, its highest point being only  {{cvt|300|m|ft}} above sea level is a rugged barren hill opposite to the Airport called Pallavapuram Hill.|doi=10.1016/j.jhazmat.2005.12.039|pmid=16442714}}</ref> Chennai is  {{cvt|2184|km}} south of [[Delhi]],  {{cvt|1337| km}} southeast of [[Mumbai]], and  {{cvt|1707|km}} southwest of [[Kolkata]] by road. Two major rivers flow through Chennai, the [[Cooum River]] (or ''Koovam'') through the centre and the [[Adyar River]] to the south. A third river, the [[Kosasthalaiyar River|Kortalaiyar]], travels through the northern fringes of the city before draining into the Bay of Bengal, at Ennore. The estuary of this river is heavily polluted with effluents released by the industries in the region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unom.ac.in/index.php?route=department/department/profile&deptid=8&facultyid=28 |title=Welcome to University of Madras – 154 years of Excellence |publisher=Unom.ac.in |date=2 February 2012 |access-date=10 June 2013}}</ref> Adyar and Cooum rivers are heavily polluted with effluents and waste from domestic and commercial sources, the Coumm being so heavily polluted it is regarded as the city's eyesore.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-society/issues-of-pollution-raised-at-meeting-for-adyar-river-restoration/article6194140.ece |title=Adyar River pollution |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=12 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730140403/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-society/issues-of-pollution-raised-at-meeting-for-adyar-river-restoration/article6194140.ece |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/pollution/TNs-Cooum-river-80-dirtier-than-sewage/articleshow/3382689.cms |title=Couvum River pollution |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=12 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310100749/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/pollution/tns-cooum-river-80-dirtier-than-sewage/articleshow/3382689.cms |archive-date=10 March 2021}}</ref> A protected [[estuary]] on the Adyar forms a natural habitat for several species of birds and animals.<ref>{{cite book |author=S. Theodore Baskaran |editor=S. Muthiah |title=Madras, Chennai: A 400-year Record of the First City of Modern India, Volume 1 |publisher=Palaniappa Brothers |year=2008 |page=55 |chapter=Chapter 2: Wildlife |isbn=978-81-8379-468-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tbR_LLkqdI8C |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> The [[Buckingham Canal]],  {{cvt|4|km|mi}} inland, runs parallel to the coast, linking the two rivers. The [[Otteri Nullah]], an east–west stream, runs through north Chennai and meets the Buckingham Canal at [[Basin Bridge]]. Several lakes of varying size are located on the western fringes of the city. Some areas of the city have the problem of excess iron content in groundwater.<ref>{{cite news |last=K |first=Lakshmi |title=It's no cola, it's the water supplied in Korattur |date=13 July 2004 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/07/13/stories/2004071312840300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050127161018/http://www.hindu.com/2004/07/13/stories/2004071312840300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 January 2005 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Chennai 80.26884E 13.04434N.jpg|thumb|left|Satellite image of Chennai]]

Chennai's soil is mostly [[clay]], [[shale]] and [[sandstone]].<ref name="rainwaterharvesting.org">{{cite web |title=Practices and Practitioners |url=http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/Urban/Practices-and-practitioners.htm |publisher=Centre for Science and Environment |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> Clay underlies most of the city, chiefly [[Manali, Tamil Nadu|Manali]], [[Kolathur, Chennai|Kolathur]], [[Maduravoyal]], [[KK Nagar|K. K. Nagar]], [[Tambaram]], [[Mudichur]], [[Pallavaram]] [[Semmencherry]], [[Alapakkam, Kancheepuram|Alapakkam]], [[Vyasarpadi]] and [[Anna Nagar]]. Sandy areas are found along the river banks and coasts, and include areas such as [[Tiruvottiyur]], [[George Town, Chennai|George Town]], [[Madhavaram, Chennai|Madhavaram]], [[Washermanpet|New Washermanpet]], [[Chepauk]], [[Mylapore]], [[Porur]], [[Adyar (Chennai)|Adyar]], [[Besant Nagar]] and Uthandi. In these areas, rainwater [[Surface runoff|runoff]] [[percolation|percolates]] quickly through the soil. Areas having hard rock surface include Guindy, [[Nanganallur]], [[Pallikaranai]], [[Alandur]], Jaladampet, [[Velachery]], [[Adambakkam]] and a part of [[Saidapet]] and [[Perungudi]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/quality-of-groundwater-better-this-year/articleshow/7381926.cms |title=Quality of groundwater better this year |work=The Times of India |access-date=28 December 2012 |date=29 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426110806/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Quality-of-groundwater-better-this-year/articleshow/7381926.cms |archive-date=26 April 2019}}</ref><ref name="water table">{{cite news |last=Lakshmi |first=K. |title=Tardy monsoon: Chennai water table rises only marginally |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=28 August 2012 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/tardy-monsoon-chennai-water-table-rises-only-marginally/article3828935.ece |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922181939/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/tardy-monsoon-chennai-water-table-rises-only-marginally/article3828935.ece |archive-date=22 September 2020}}</ref> The [[Water table|ground water table]] in Chennai is at 4–5&nbsp;m below ground in most of the areas,<ref name="water table"/> which was considerably improved and maintained through the mandatory rain water harvesting system.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Susheela Raghavan |author2=Indira Narayanan |editor=S.Muthiah |title=Madras, Chennai: A 400-year Record of the First City of Modern India, Volume 1 |publisher=Palaniappa Brothers |year=2008 |page=13 |chapter=Chapter 1: Geography |isbn=978-81-8379-468-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tbR_LLkqdI8C}}</ref> Of the 24.87&nbsp;km coastline of the city, 3.08&nbsp;km experiences erosion, with sand accretion along the shoreline can be noticed at the [[Marina beach]] and the area between the [[Ennore Port]] and [[Kosasthalaiyar river]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lakshmi |first=K. |title=T.N. lost 41% shoreline to erosion: study |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |publisher=Kasturi & Sons |date=10 November 2018 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tn-lost-41-shoreline-to-erosion-study/article25458192.ece |access-date=10 November 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129180742/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tn-lost-41-shoreline-to-erosion-study/article25458192.ece |archive-date=29 November 2020}}</ref>

===Geology===
Chennai is classified as being in [[Seismic hazard|Seismic Zone III]], indicating a moderate risk of damage from [[earthquakes]].<ref>{{cite news |last=John |first=Ekatha Ann |title=Disaster body for panel to monitor highrises in Chennai |location=Chennai |date=29 September 2012 |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-29/chennai/34162823_1_ndma-cmda-highrise-buildings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429200323/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-29/chennai/34162823_1_ndma-cmda-highrise-buildings |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 April 2013 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> Owing to the geotectonic zone the city falls in, the city is considered a potential [[geothermal energy]] site. The [[crust (geology)|crust]] has granite rocks indicating volcanic activities in the past. It is expected that temperatures of around 200 to 300&nbsp;°C will be available if the ground were drilled 4 to 5&nbsp;km deep. The region has the oldest rocks in the country dating back to nearly a billion years.<ref>{{cite news |last=Yadav |first=Priya |title=Soon, power from ancient rocks |location=Chennai |date=10 January 2013 |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-10/chandigarh/36257098_1_geothermal-energy-rocks-energy-solutions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514031954/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-10/chandigarh/36257098_1_geothermal-energy-rocks-energy-solutions |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 May 2013 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=10 January 2013}}</ref>

===Flora and fauna===
{{Main|Flora and fauna of Chennai}}
The southern stretch of Chennai's coast from Tiruvanmiyur to Neelangarai are favoured by the endangered [[olive ridley sea turtle]]s to lay eggs every winter. A large number of cattle [[egret]]s, pond [[heron]]s and other waterbirds can be seen in the rivers of Cooum and Adyar. About 75,000 birds migrate to Chennai every year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://acjnewsline.org/?p=2902 |title=Rare grey headed Lapwings spotted at Pallikaranai marsh |publisher=acjnewsline.com |access-date=12 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331131319/http://acjnewsline.org/?p=2902 |archive-date=31 March 2012}}</ref> Marshy wetlands such as [[Pallikaranai wetland|Pallikaranai]] also play host to a number of migratory birds during the monsoon and winter.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tnenvis.nic.in/PDF/WET.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321122516/http://www.tnenvis.nic.in/PDF/WET.pdf |archive-date=21 March 2012 |title=Wetlands in Tamil Nadu |publisher=Tamil Nadu State Dept. of Environment and Related Issues |access-date=12 October 2015}}</ref> [[Birding in Chennai|Chennai is also a popular city for birding]], housing more than 200 resident and wintering bird species; over 300 species of birds have been recorded in the city and its neighbourhoods by members of [[Madras Naturalists' Society]] since its inception in 1978.

[[Guindy National Park]] is a protected area within the city limits. Wildlife conservation and research activities take place at
[[Arignar Anna Zoological Park]] including [[olive ridley sea turtle]] conservation.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/wildlife-centre-at-vandalur-zoo-replaces-night-safari/article5314832.ece |title=Wildlife centre at Vandalur zoo replaces safari |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=12 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730145915/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/wildlife-centre-at-vandalur-zoo-replaces-night-safari/article5314832.ece |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> [[Madras Crocodile Bank Trust]] is a [[herpetology]] research station, located  {{cvt|40|km}} south of Chennai.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://listofzoos.com/Madras+Crocodile+Bank+Trust |title=Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, India |work=listofzoos.com |publisher=List of Zoos Worldwide |access-date=29 August 2011}}</ref> The city's tree cover is estimated to be around 64.06&nbsp;sq&nbsp;km.<ref name="CityTreeCover">{{cite news |title=Tree cover in city is only around 15% |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=11 February 2018 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/tree-cover-in-city-is-only-around-15/article22719066.ece |access-date=11 February 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730152628/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/tree-cover-in-city-is-only-around-15/article22719066.ece |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> The most dominant tree species is the [[copper pod]], followed by [[Indian beech]] and [[Neem]]. A total of 121 species of trees belonging to 94 genera and 42 families are found in the city.<ref name="CityTreeCover"/> Nearly half of the native plant species in the city's wetlands have disappeared in recent years. The city, which had 85 percent of its area covered with aquatic plants until the 1970s, now has only 25 percent of its area covered with such plants.<ref name="wetlands flora">{{cite news |last=K. |first=Lakshmi |title=Indigenous flora in city wetlands under threat |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |publisher=Kasturi & Sons |date=20 January 2019 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/indigenous-flora-in-city-wetlands-under-threat/article26039519.ece |access-date=3 February 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203021114/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/indigenous-flora-in-city-wetlands-under-threat/article26039519.ece |archive-date=3 February 2021}}</ref>

===Environment conservation===
[[File:Chitlapakkam-lake-chennai-7-r.jpg|thumb|[[Chitlapakkam Lake]] in the southern part of the city]]
Chennai has three rivers and many lakes spread across the city. [[Urbanization]] has led to the shrinkage of water bodies and wetlands.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/kids/vanishing-wetlands/article6860776.ece |title=Vanishing wetlands |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=12 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730150251/https://www.thehindu.com/features/kids/vanishing-wetlands/article6860776.ece |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> The quantity of wetlands in the city has decreased from 650 to only 27 currently.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Next time by water |url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2015/12/12/next-time-by-water |newspaper=The Economist |access-date=11 December 2015 |issn=0013-0613 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027132431/https://www.economist.com/asia/2015/12/12/next-time-by-water |archive-date=27 October 2020}}</ref> The Chennai River Restoration trust set up by the government is working on the restoration of [[Adyar River]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/good-governance/tamil-nadu/Muck-in-Chennai-rivers-may-soon-turn-manure/articleshow/49074041.cms |title=Muck in Chennai rivers to turn into manure |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=12 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102012423/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/good-governance/tamil-nadu/Muck-in-Chennai-rivers-may-soon-turn-manure/articleshow/49074041.cms |archive-date=2 January 2016}}</ref> [[Environmentalist Foundation of India]] is a volunteering group working towards wildlife conservation and habitat restoration.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/more-citizens-initiatives-for-restoring-waterbodies/article7748606.ece |title=More citizens initiative for restoring water bodies |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=12 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730150443/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/more-citizens-initiatives-for-restoring-waterbodies/article7748606.ece |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/water-security-mission-to-watch-out-for-citys-needs/article7700011.ece |title=Water security mission to watch out for city's needs |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=12 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407180443/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/water-security-mission-to-watch-out-for-citys-needs/article7700011.ece |archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref>

The encroachment of urban development on wetlands has gravely hampered the city's sustainability, and contributed both to the [[2015 South Indian floods|city's floods in 2015]] and [[2019 Chennai water crisis|water scarcity crisis in 2019]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/india-file/living-without-water-in-chennai/article28065458.ece |title=Living without water in Chennai |last=V |first=Jinoy Jose P. & NARAYANAN |website=@businessline |date=18 June 2019 |language=en |access-date=19 June 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225161257/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/india-file/living-without-water-in-chennai/article28065458.ece |archive-date=25 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Nagarajan |last2=Megson |first2=Jody |last3=Wu |first3=Jin |first1=Ganesh |title=How One of the World's Wettest Major Cities Ran Out of Water |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-02-03/how-a-water-crisis-hit-india-s-chennai-one-of-the-world-s-wettest-cities |access-date=15 February 2021 |work=[[Bloomberg News]] |date=3 February 2021 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210402180757/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-02-03/how-a-water-crisis-hit-india-s-chennai-one-of-the-world-s-wettest-cities |archive-date=2 April 2021}}</ref>

===Climate===
Chennai has a dry-summer [[tropical wet and dry climate]] which is designated ''As'' under the [[Köppen climate classification]]. The city lies on the [[thermal equator]]<ref name="Cmdaabout">{{cite web |title=About Chennai |url=http://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/pdfs/SMP/_A_About%20Chennai.pdf |page=1 |access-date=28 December 2012 |publisher=[[Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority]] |archive-date=22 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922051921/http://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/pdfs/SMP/_A_About%20Chennai.pdf |url-status=dead }}<!--Temporary ref --></ref> and is also on the coast, which prevents extreme variation in seasonal temperature. The hottest part of the year is late May to early June, known regionally as ''Agni Nakshatram'' ("fire star") or as ''Kathiri Veyyil'',<ref>{{cite news |last=Ramakrishnan |first=T |title=Hot spell may continue for some more weeks in the State |date=18 May 2005 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/18/stories/2005051813790700.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050530081653/http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/18/stories/2005051813790700.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 May 2005 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> with maximum temperatures around  {{cvt|35|–|40|C|F}}. The coolest part of the year is January, with minimum temperatures around  {{cvt|19|–|25|C|F}}. The lowest recorded temperature was  {{cvt|13.9|°C|°F}} on 11 December 1895 and 29 January 1905.<ref name=IMDextremes2010>{{cite web |last=India Meteorological Department |title=Ever Recorded Maximum Temperature, Minimum Temperature and 24 Hours Heaviest Rainfall up to 2010 |url=http://www.imdpune.gov.in/Temp_Extremes/histext2010.pdf |publisher=India Meteorological Department, Pune |page=67 |access-date=29 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316064314/http://www.imdpune.gov.in/Temp_Extremes/histext2010.pdf |archive-date=16 March 2014}}</ref> The highest recorded temperature was  {{cvt|45|°C|°F}} on 31 May 2003.<ref name="IMDextremes2010" /> The average annual rainfall is about  {{cvt|140|cm|in}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Meteorological Department, Chennai Regional Website |url=http://www.imdchennai.gov.in/rdwr.htm |access-date=28 December 2012 |publisher=[[Indian Meteorological Department]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121080418/http://www.imdchennai.gov.in/rdwr.htm |archive-date=21 November 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The city gets most of its seasonal rainfall from the north–east [[monsoon]] winds, from mid–October to mid–December. [[Cyclone]]s in the Bay of Bengal sometimes hit the city. The highest annual rainfall recorded is  {{cvt|257|cm|in}} in 2005.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ramakrishnan |first=T |title=Entering 2006, city's reservoirs filled to the brim |date=3 January 2006 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/03/stories/2006010315310300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070228083427/http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/03/stories/2006010315310300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 February 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> Prevailing winds in Chennai are usually southwesterly between April and October<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es2402/es2402page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization |title=NASA climate data visualised |publisher=Classzone.com |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-date=30 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130112106/https://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es2402/es2402page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization |url-status=dead }}</ref> and north-easterly during the rest of the year. Historically, Chennai has relied on the annual rains of the [[Northeast monsoon|monsoon season]] to replenish water reservoirs, as no major rivers flow through the area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imdchennai.gov.in/northeast_monsoon.htm |title=Northeast Monsoon |publisher=India Meteorological Department Regional Meteorological Centre: Chennai |access-date=19 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229133725/http://www.imdchennai.gov.in/northeast_monsoon.htm |archive-date=29 December 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Chennai has a water table at 2 metres for 60 percent of the year.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ayyappan |first=V. |title=Metro dips under historic Cooum |work=The Times of India |date=22 March 2012 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/metro-dips-under-historic-cooum/articleshow/12366911.cms |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002162651/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Metro-dips-under-historic-Cooum/articleshow/12366911.cms |archive-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> The city of Chennai is located on the east coast of India, which is also known as the [[Coromandel Coast]].
Chennai is largely dependent on [[Northeast monsoon|NE monsoon]], since 65% of rains are received in this season. Cyclones and depressions are common features during the season. Cyclones, in particular, are especially unpredictable. They may even move towards [[Orissa, India|Orissa]], west [[Bengal]], [[Bangladesh]], and also [[Myanmar]].{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} The season between October and December is referred as the NE monsoon period.<ref>{{cite web |title=NE monsoon sets in, brings in copious rains |url=https://www.rediff.com/news/2005/oct/12imd.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926100107/https://www.rediff.com/news/2005/oct/12imd.htm |archive-date=26 September 2020 |website=www.rediff.com}}</ref> Floods are common during this period. In 2015, Chennai received [[2015 South India floods#Chennai|record-breaking rains]] since 1918, which caused massive floods.
{{#section:Geography of Chennai|weatherbox}}

===Land usage===
As of 2018, the city had a green cover of 14.9 percent, against the [[World Health Organization]] recommendation of 9&nbsp;square metres of green cover per capita in cities. The city had a built-up area of 71 percent. Waterbodies cover an estimated 6 percent of the total area, and at least 8 percent of the area has classified as open space.<ref name="Hindu_228CrProjectForGreen">{{cite news |last=Lopez |first=Aloysius Xavier |title=A Rs. 228-cr. project to take city's green cover to 20% |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |page=4 |publisher=Kasturi & Sons |date=31 August 2018 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/a-228-cr-project-to-take-citys-green-cover-to-20/article24824653.ece |access-date=2 September 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203112857/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/a-228-cr-project-to-take-citys-green-cover-to-20/article24824653.ece |archive-date=3 December 2020}}</ref> As of 2017, the total volume of water harvested was 339 mcft and groundwater recharge was 170 mcft.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lakshmi |first=K. |title=The vanishing waterbodies of Chennai |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |page=2 |publisher=Kasturi & Sons |date=1 April 2018 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-vanishing-waterbodies-of-chennai/article23404437.ece |access-date=21 October 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127175534/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-vanishing-waterbodies-of-chennai/article23404437.ece |archive-date=27 November 2020}}</ref>

==Administration==
{{Main|Administration of Chennai}}
[[Image:Chennai District.png|280px|thumb|Divisions of Chennai district]]
[[File:Ripon building, Chennai 2.jpg|thumb|The [[Ripon Building]], commissioned in 1913, houses the Greater Chennai Corporation.]]
Chennai city is governed by the [[Greater Chennai Corporation]] (formerly "Corporation of Madras"), which was established in 1688. It is the oldest surviving [[municipal corporation]] in India and the second oldest surviving corporation in the world.<ref>{{cite book |author=S.Muthiah |title=Madras, Chennai: A 400-year Record of the First City of Modern India, Volume 1 |page=217 |year=2008 |work=Association of British Scholars (India). Chennai Chapter |publisher=Palaniappa Brothers |isbn=978-81-8379-468-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tbR_LLkqdI8C&pg=PA433}}</ref><ref name="320yrs">{{cite news |title=Chennai Corporation to celebrate 320 years |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/23/stories/2008092357680100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923115809/http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/23/stories/2008092357680100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 September 2008 |first=Kannal |last=Achutan |date=23 September 2008 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> In 2011, the jurisdiction of the Chennai Corporation was expanded from  {{cvt|174|km2|mi2}} to an area of  {{cvt|426|km2| mi2}},<ref name="hindu1">{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/scope-of-digital-mapping-exercise-in-city-likely-to-be-enlarged/article2745099.ece |title=Scope of digital mapping exercise in city likely to be enlarged |work=The Hindu |date=24 December 2011 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115231204/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/scope-of-digital-mapping-exercise-in-city-likely-to-be-enlarged/article2745099.ece |archive-date=15 November 2020}}</ref> dividing into three regions—North, South and Central, which covers [[List of Chennai Corporation wards|200 wards]].<ref name="thehindu_ccorp1_ccorp2">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article2658830.ece |title=Expanded Chennai Corporationto be divided into 3 regions |work=The Hindu |date=25 November 2011 |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016071724/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article2658830.ece |archive-date=16 October 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Wards Committee |url=http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/images/wards_commitee.pdf |work=[[Chennai Corporation]] |date=12 September 2011 |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-date=15 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215062815/http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/images/wards_commitee.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> The corporation is headed by a mayor, an office presently occupied by [[Priya Rajan]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-03 |title=Chennai to get its youngest and first Dalit woman as mayor; meet R Priya |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/elections/chennai-to-get-its-youngest-and-first-dalit-woman-as-mayor-meet-r-priya-101646304060975.html |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> The Mayor and [[councillors]] of the city are elected through a popular vote by the residents.<ref>{{cite web |title=Executive Chart |url=http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/about-chennai-corporation/aboutCOC.htm |work=About COC;Corporation of Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602002913/http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/about-chennai-corporation/aboutCOC.htm |archive-date=2 June 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> While the city limit was expanded in 2011, the revised population is yet to be officially announced.

The [[Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority]] (CMDA) is the nodal agency responsible for planning and development of [[Chennai Metropolitan Area]], which is spread over an area of  {{cvt|1189|km2|sqmi}},<ref name="Hindu_Indecisiveness keeps urban projects on hold">{{cite news |last=Srivathsan |first=A |title=Indecisiveness keeps urban projects on hold |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=19 September 2013 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/indecisiveness-keeps-urban-projects-on-hold/article5142863.ece |access-date=20 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730160819/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/indecisiveness-keeps-urban-projects-on-hold/article5142863.ece |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> covering the [[Chennai district]] and parts of [[Tiruvallur district|Tiruvallur]], [[Kanchipuram district|Kanchipuram]] and [[Chengalpattu district|Chengalpattu]] districts. The larger suburbs are governed by town municipalities and the smaller ones are governed by town councils called [[Panchayati Raj|panchayats]]. Under the gamut of the CMDA are 5 [[Parliament of India|parliamentary]] and 28 [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|assembly constituencies]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About Corporation of Chennai |url=http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/about-chennai-corporation/aboutCOC.htm |work=Chennai Corporation |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602002913/http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/about-chennai-corporation/aboutCOC.htm |archive-date=2 June 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="metroarea">{{cite web |title=Chennai Metropolitan Area&nbsp;– Profile |work=Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority |url=http://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/ |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> The CMDA has drafted an additional [[Comprehensive planning|Master Plan]] that aims to develop satellite townships around the city. The city's contiguous satellite towns include [[Mahabalipuram]] in the south, [[Chengalpattu]] and [[Maraimalai Nagar]] in the southwest, and [[Sriperumbudur|Sriperumpudur]], [[Arakkonam]], [[Kanchipuram]] and [[Tiruvallur]] to the west.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/12/stories/2007041204230100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070415012655/http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/12/stories/2007041204230100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 April 2007 |title=3 satellite towns proposed for Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=12 April 2007}}</ref>

Chennai, as the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu, houses the state executive and [[legislature|legislative]] headquarters primarily in the Secretariat Buildings in the [[Fort St George|Fort&nbsp;St&nbsp;George]] campus. The [[Madras High Court]], is the highest [[judicial]] authority in the state, whose jurisdiction extends across [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tn.gov.in/policynotes/archives/policy2003-04/homejustice2003-04-1.htm |title=Government of Tamil Nadu: Home Department: Department of Justice |publisher=Official website of the Government of Tamil Nadu |access-date=19 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124011527/http://www.tn.gov.in/policynotes/archives/policy2003-04/homejustice2003-04-1.htm |archive-date=24 January 2012}}</ref> Chennai has three [[Parliament of India|parliamentary]] constituencies—[[Chennai North (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai North]], [[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central]] and [[Chennai South (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai South]]—and elects 24 Members of the Legislative Assembly ([[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLAs]]) to the state legislature.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/const_map/map.htm |title=List of TN Assembly constituencies |publisher=Assembly.tn.gov.in |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614070155/http://www.assembly.tn.gov.in/const_map/map.htm |archive-date=14 June 2012}}</ref>

===Law and order===
[[File:Chennai High Court.jpg|thumb|[[Madras High Court]]]]
The [[Greater Chennai Police]] is the main law enforcement agency in the city, with a jurisdiction of over  {{cvt|745|km2|mi2}} catering to over 8.5&nbsp;million people. It consists of 121 [[police station]]s and is headed by a [[police commissioner|commissioner of police]]. The Greater Chennai Police is a division of the [[Tamil Nadu Police]], and the administrative control lies with the Tamil Nadu Home Ministry.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/24/stories/2005022413340600.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050224131500/http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/24/stories/2005022413340600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 February 2005 |title=City police await notification on extending Commissionerate's jurisdiction |author=K.T. Sangameswaran |access-date=28 December 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=24 February 2005}}</ref> [[Chennai City Traffic Police]] (CCTP) is responsible for the traffic management in the city. The metropolitan suburbs are policed by the [[Chennai Metropolitan Police]], headed by the [[Chennai Police Commissionerate]], and the outer district areas of the CMDA are policed by the [[Kanchipuram]] and [[Thiruvallur]] police departments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tnpolice.gov.in |title=Chennai Metro Police |publisher=Tamil Nadu Police |access-date=12 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tnpolice.gov.in/District_Details.php?code=29583 |title=Kanchipuram Police |publisher=Tamil Nadu Police |access-date=12 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011142636/http://tnpolice.gov.in/District_Details.php?code=29583 |archive-date=11 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tnpolice.gov.in/District_Details.php?code=29617 |title=Thiruvallur Police |publisher=Tamil Nadu Police |access-date=12 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011143503/http://tnpolice.gov.in/District_Details.php?code=29617 |archive-date=11 October 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Gcp patrol car.jpg|thumb|left|A police patrol car]]
{{As of|2011}} (prior to the expansion of Chennai Corporation area), Chennai city has a sanctioned strength of 14,000 police personnel. With a population density of 26,903 persons per square kilometre, the city had 1 policeman for every 413 people. The Chennai suburban police had about 4,093 police personnel and a ratio of 1:1,222.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/despite-rising-population-number-of-police/articleshow/7887318.cms |title=Despite rising population, number of police |work=The Times of India |date=7 April 2011 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407180858/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/despite-rising-population-number-of-police/articleshow/7887318.cms |archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref> In 2010, the crime rate in the city was 169.2 per 100,000 people, as against an average of 341.9 in the 35 major cities of India.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ncrb.nic.in/CII2010/cii-2010/Chapter%202.pdf |access-date=28 December 2012 |title=Crimes in Mega Cities |publisher=Govt. of India |work=National Crime Records Bureau |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826215533/http://ncrb.nic.in/CII2010/cii-2010/Chapter%202.pdf |archive-date=26 August 2013}}</ref> In 2011, North Chennai zone had 30 police stations and 3 police out posts, Central Chennai zone had 28 police stations and 3 police out posts, and South Chennai zone had 30 police stations.<ref name="Police stations">{{cite news |last=Selvaraj |first=A. |title=Triplicane police station gets bigger with more area, men |newspaper=The Times of India |location=Chennai |date=15 April 2011 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/triplicane-police-station-gets-bigger-with-more-area-men/articleshow/7986294.cms |access-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407181033/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/triplicane-police-station-gets-bigger-with-more-area-men/articleshow/7986294.cms |archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref>

In 2009, [[Madras Central Prison]], one of the oldest prisons in India, built over  {{cvt|11|acres|0}} of land, was demolished; the prisoners were moved to [[Puzhal Central Prison]].<ref>{{cite news |title=150-yr-old Central prison closed for good |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/150-yr-old-central-prison-closed-for-good/articleshow/4003254.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |date=19 January 2009 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305024821/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/150-yr-old-Central-prison-closed-for-good/articleshow/4003254.cms |archive-date=5 March 2017}}</ref>

===Politics===
Since the 19th century, when Western scholars proposed that [[Dravidian languages]], which dominated the southern region of India, formed a different linguistic group to that of the [[Indo-Aryan languages]] that are predominant in the north of the subcontinent, the aspects of Tamil nationalism gained prominence. This resulted in the [[Anti-Hindi agitations]] in the city and across the state. However, the post-[[Partition of India|Independence]] re-organisation of Indian states according to linguistic and ethnic basis has moderated Tamil nationalism, especially the demand for separation from the Indian Union. The [[Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu|Anti-Hindi agitations in mid-1960s]] made the DMK more popular and more powerful political force in the state. The agitations of the 1960s played a crucial role in the defeat of the Tamil Nadu Congress party in the 1967 elections and the continuing dominance of Dravidian parties in Tamil Nadu politics.<ref name="hindu3">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/article61129.ece |title=Language issue again: the need for a clear-headed policy |author=S. Viswanathan |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=7 December 2009 |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120072025/http://beta.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/article61129.ece |archive-date=20 January 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Fort St. George, Chennai 2.jpg|thumb|[[Fort St. George|Tamil Nadu legislative assembly]]]]

Being the capital of the [[Madras Province]] that covered a vast area of the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]] region, Chennai remained the centre of politics in the southern region of India during the British colonial era. After [[Partition of India|Independence]], it remained the centre of political activities of the state of [[Tamil Nadu]]. Chennai is the birthplace of the idea of the [[Indian National Congress]], commonly known as the Congress Party. Founded by Indian and British members of the [[Theosophical Society]] movement, most notably [[Allan Octavian Hume|A.O. Hume]],<ref name=bevir>[http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/73b4862g?display=all Theosophy and the Origins of the Indian National Congress], Bevir, Mark, University of California, Berkeley, Publication Date: 1 January 2003 s. 14–18. Original Citation: Mark Bevir, "Theosophy and the Origins of the Indian National Congress", [[International Journal of Hindu Studies]] 7 (2003), 99–115. E.g., "Theosophical Society provided the framework for action within which some of its Indian and British members worked to form the Indian National Congress.", "1884 annual convention of the Theosophical Society. At this convention, Rao argued that the Society should start formally to discuss the political situation in India as well as more strictly religious matters. Although Rao did not get his way, he did arrange a meeting of sympathetic theosophists to be held at his home. Those who attended this meeting with Rao included Aiyar, Ananda Charlu, and M. Viraraghavachariar. They formed the Madras Mahajana Sabha," "meeting to coincide with the next annual convention of the Theosophical Society. This meeting would promote their idea of an all-India body." "Hume was probably the single most important individual for the formation of the Indian National Congress."</ref> the idea was originally conceived in a private meeting of 17 men after a Theosophical Convention held in the city in December 1884.<ref name=pattabhi>Sitaramayya, B. Pattabhi. 1935. The History of the Indian National Congress. Working Committee of the Congress. [https://archive.org/details/TheHistoryOfTheIndianNationalCongress Scanned version]</ref> During the first 50 years of the Indian National Congress, the city played host to its conferences seven times in 1887, 1894, 1898, 1903, 1908, 1914 and 1927, becoming one of the strong bases for the [[Indian independence movement]]. After independence, the city hosted the Congress in 1955 in its suburb of [[Avadi]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Political and Social Conflict in South India; The non-Brahmin movement and Tamil Separatism, 1916–1929 |last=Irschick |first=Eugene F. |year=1969 |oclc=249254802 |publisher=[[University of California Press]] |url=http://history.berkeley.edu/faculty/Irschick/Politics.pdf |access-date=23 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001539/http://history.berkeley.edu/faculty/Irschick/Politics.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Chennai is also the birthplace of several regional political movements since the British era. South Indian Welfare Association, one of the earliest regional parties, was founded in 1916, which later came to be known as the [[Justice Party (India)|Justice Party]], which was the main opposition party to the Indian National Congress in the state.<ref name="rajaraman4">{{cite book |last=Rajaraman |first=P. |title=The Justice Party: a historical perspective, 1916–37 |publisher=Poompozhil Publishers |year=1988 |url=http://dspace.vidyanidhi.org.in:8080/dspace/handle/2009/4745 |oclc=20453430 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721181607/http://dspace.vidyanidhi.org.in:8080/dspace/handle/2009/4745 |archive-date=21 July 2011 |df=dmy-all |at=ch. 4 (Ideology, Organisation and Programme of the Justice Party)}}</ref><ref name="Irschick10">{{Harvnb|Irschick|1969| pp=172–178}}</ref> In 1944, the party was renamed [[Dravidar Kazhagam]] (DK) by [[E. V. Ramasami]] (popularly known as 'Periyar'). The party was a non-political party that demanded the establishment of an independent state called [[Dravida Nadu]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Taylor |first=Richard Warren |title=Religion and Society: The First Twenty-five Years, 1953–1978 |publisher=Christian Literature Society (for the Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, Bangalore) |year=1982 |oclc=9007066 |page=242}}</ref> However, due to the differences between its two leaders Periyar and [[C. N. Annadurai]], the party was split. Annadurai left the party to form the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK). The DMK decided to enter into politics in 1956.

===Utility services===
{{See also|Water management in Chennai}}
The city's water supply and sewage treatment are managed by the [[Chennai MetroWater Supply and Sewage Board]]. Water is drawn from [[Red Hills Lake]] and [[Chembarambakkam Lake]], the primary water reservoirs of the city,<ref>{{cite book |title=Second Master Plan |publisher=Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority |pages=157–159 |url=http://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/Volume3_English_PDF/Vol3_Chapter07_Infrasructure.pdf |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> and treated at water treatment plants located at Kilpauk, Puzhal, Chembarambakkam<ref name="Metro Water">{{cite web |title=Water Supply System |url=http://www.chennaimetrowater.tn.nic.in/departments/operation/developwss.htm |publisher=Chennai Metro Water |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015122930/http://www.chennaimetrowater.tn.nic.in/departments/operation/developwss.htm |archive-date=15 October 2013}}</ref> and supplied to the city through 27 water distribution stations.<ref>{{cite book |title=Second Master Plan |publisher=Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority |page=163 |url=http://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/Volume3_English_PDF/Vol3_Chapter07_Infrasructure.pdf |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> The city receives 530&nbsp;million liters per day (mld) of water from [[Krishna River]] through [[Telugu Ganga project]], 180 mld of water from the [[Veeranam]] lake project<ref name="Metro Water"/> and 100 mld of water from the Minjur desalination plant, the country's largest sea water [[desalination]] plant.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/india-s-biggest-desalination-plant-opens-in-chennai/story-cH4doM5UnG3bjLHYAqms7H.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100803150810/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-s-biggest-desalination-plant-opens-in-Chennai/Article1-580562.aspx |archive-date=3 August 2010 |title=India's biggest desalination plant opens in Chennai |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=1 August 2010 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=HinduDesalinationPlant>{{cite news |title=IVRCL to set up desalination plant near Chennai |work=The Hindu |date=12 August 2005 |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/08/12/stories/2005081202820300.htm |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213183507/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/08/12/stories/2005081202820300.htm |archive-date=13 February 2009}}</ref><ref name=HinduDesalinationPlant2>{{cite news |last=Radhakrishnan |first=R.K. |title=Preliminary work on desalination plant to be completed by December-end |date=4 September 2007 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/04/stories/2007090460440400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012002902/http://hindu.com/2007/09/04/stories/2007090460440400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 October 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> However, Chennai is predicted to face a huge deficit of 713 mld in 2026 as the demand is projected at 2,248 mld and supply estimated at only 1,535 mld.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/chennai-worst-saving-water-782 |title=Chennai worst in saving water |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=6 May 2011 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011034707/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/chennai/chennai-worst-saving-water-782 |archive-date=11 October 2012}}</ref> The city's sewer system was designed in 1910, with some modifications in 1958.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ann |first=Ekatha |title=Rain opens city's filthy underbelly |newspaper=The Times of India |location=Chennai |date=22 October 2014 |url=http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31807&articlexml=Rain-opens-citys-filthy-underbelly-22102014004026 |access-date=26 October 2014 |archive-date=26 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026101334/http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31807&articlexml=Rain-opens-citys-filthy-underbelly-22102014004026 |url-status=dead}}</ref> There are 714 public toilets in the city managed by the city corporation,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/No-response-from-firms-to-build-toilets/articleshow/16522863.cms |title=No response from firms to build toilets |work=The Times of India |date=24 September 2012 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023204451/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/No-response-from-firms-to-build-toilets/articleshow/16522863.cms |archive-date=23 October 2016}}</ref> and 2,000 more have been planned by the corporation.<ref>{{cite news |title=From Feb 24, use public toilets for free, says mayor |newspaper=The Times of India |location=Chennai |date=31 October 2012 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/From-Feb-24-use-public-toilets-for-free-says-mayor/articleshow/17028133.cms |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001161302/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/From-Feb-24-use-public-toilets-for-free-says-mayor/articleshow/17028133.cms |archive-date=1 October 2016}}</ref> The corporation also owns 52 community halls across the city.<ref>{{cite news |title=Residents to soon have free use of community halls |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=31 October 2012 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/residents-to-soon-have-free-use-of-community-halls/article4048482.ece |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730141741/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/residents-to-soon-have-free-use-of-community-halls/article4048482.ece |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref>

The Corporation of Chennai provides civic services to the city. Garbage collection in some of the wards is contracted to Ramky Enviro Engineers Limited, a private company,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/new-firm-to-begin-conservancy-work-next-week/article2773817.ece |title=New firm to begin conservancy work next week |access-date=28 December 2012 |work=The Hindu |date=4 January 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803235405/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/new-firm-to-begin-conservancy-work-next-week/article2773817.ece |archive-date=3 August 2020}}</ref> while the Corporation looks after the removal and processing of solid waste in the others,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/New-garbage-collection-street-cleaning-mechanism/article13383057.ece |title=New garbage collection, street cleaning mechanism |work=The Hindu |access-date=28 December 2012 |date=27 January 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804032350/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/New-garbage-collection-street-cleaning-mechanism/article13383057.ece |archive-date=4 August 2020}}</ref> with a superintendent engineer managing the channels. {{As of|2011}}, eight transfer stations exist within the city for treating the waste.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/departments/solid-waste-management/index.htm |title=Solid Waste Management |publisher=Corporation of Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-date=15 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215061708/http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/departments/solid-waste-management/index.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> Garbage is dumped in two dump-yards in the city—One in [[Kodungaiyur]] and another in [[Pallikaranai]], with a major portion of the latter covering the [[Pallikaranai]] marshland.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/cluster-based-solid-waste-mgmt-may-ease-pressure-on-dump-yards/articleshow/12564826.cms |title=Cluster-based solid waste mgmt may ease pressure on dump yards |newspaper=The Times of India |date=7 April 2012 |last=Madhavan |first=D. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928023326/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Cluster-based-solid-waste-mgmt-may-ease-pressure-on-dump-yards/articleshow/12564826.cms |archive-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> In market areas, the conservancy work is done during the night.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/SMS-fillip-for-garbage-collection/article13379578.ece |title=SMS fillip for garbage collection |work=The Hindu |access-date=28 December 2012 |first=Deepa H |last=Ramakrishnan |date=25 January 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804174939/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/SMS-fillip-for-garbage-collection/article13379578.ece |archive-date=4 August 2020}}</ref> Electricity is distributed by the [[Tamil Nadu Electricity Board]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Emergency and Utility Services Contact Details at Chennai |publisher=Govt. of Tamil Nadu |url=http://chennai.nic.in/emergency.htm |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930014904/http://chennai.nic.in/emergency.htm |archive-date=30 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Fire services are handled by the [[Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tnfrs.tn.nic.in/contact.htm |title=Contact us |publisher=Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Service |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423055359/http://www.tnfrs.tn.nic.in/contact.htm |archive-date=23 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The city, along with the suburbs, has 33 operating fire stations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tnfrs.tn.nic.in/stns.htm |title=List of fire stations |publisher=Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Service |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424123232/http://www.tnfrs.tn.nic.in/stns.htm |archive-date=24 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Chennai City region has 568 post offices, of which nearly 460 operate from rented premises.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lakshmi |first=K. |title=Iconic General Post Office to finally get a makeover |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=28 June 2018 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/iconic-general-post-office-to-finally-get-a-makeover/article24274117.ece |access-date=15 July 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025703/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/iconic-general-post-office-to-finally-get-a-makeover/article24274117.ece |archive-date=9 November 2020}}</ref>

==Architecture==
{{Main|Architecture of Chennai}}
{{See also|List of tallest buildings in Chennai|Heritage structures in Chennai}}
[[File:Chennai LabourStatue Closeup.jpg|thumb|Triumph of Labour]]
With the history of many neighbourhoods of the city such as [[Mylapore]], [[Triplicane]], and [[Tiruvanmiyur]] antedating that of the city itself, the architecture of Chennai ranges in a wide chronology. The oldest buildings in the city date from the 7th and 8th centuries CE, which include the [[Kapaleeshwarar Temple]] in Mylapore and the [[Parthasarathy Temple]] in Triplicane, built in the [[Dravidian architecture]]. This architecture includes various styles, such as those of the [[Pallavas]], the [[Chola]]s, and the [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagara]] empires. The associated ''Agraharam'' architecture, which consists of traditional row houses surrounding a temple, can still be seen in these areas.<ref name="Agraharam_TimeVirtuallyStandsStill">{{cite news |last=Sujatha |first=R. |title=Agraharam – time virtually stands still here |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=29 April 2012 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/history-and-culture/article3367816.ece |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705142259/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/history-and-culture/article3367816.ece |archive-date=5 July 2012}}</ref><ref name="VanishingAgraharams">{{cite news |last=Iyer |first=Aruna V. |title=Chennai's vanishing agraharams |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=7 October 2011 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/homes-and-gardens/article2518383.ece |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430024916/http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/homes-and-gardens/article2518383.ece |archive-date=30 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[World Heritage Site|heritage temples]] at [[Mamallapuram]] at the outskirts of the city are some of the examples of the Pallava architecture. Chennai ranks second to Kolkata in having the largest collection of Indian heritage buildings in the country.<ref name = "Heritagebuildingsinchennai">{{cite news |last=Ravishankar |first=Sandhya |title=No fire safety norms at Chennai heritage buildings |newspaper=IBN Live |location=Chennai |publisher=CNN IBN |date=6 September 2007 |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/no-fire-safety-norms-at-chennai-heritage-buildings/48155-3-1.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103111402/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/no-fire-safety-norms-at-chennai-heritage-buildings/48155-3-1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 January 2013 |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Parrys Corner, Chennai, India.jpg|thumb|left|[[Parry's Corner]], one of the oldest business areas of Chennai, lined up with [[Art Deco]] buildings|alt=a multi-storeyed building, with road in the foreground]]
With the advent of the [[Mugal Empire|Mugals]] and the [[British Empire|British]], the city saw a rise in a blend of [[Hindu]], [[Islamic]] and [[Gothic revival]] styles, resulting in the distinct [[Indo-Saracenic]] architecture.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Metcalfe |first=Thomas R. |title=A Tradition Created: Indo-Saracenic Architecture under the Raj |journal=History Today |volume=32 |issue=9 |url=http://www.historytoday.com/thomas-r-metcalfe/tradition-created-indo-saracenic-architecture-under-raj |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> The architecture for several early institutions such as banking and commerce, railways, press and education, chiefly through the colonial rule, followed the earlier directions of the Neo-Classical and the Indo-Saracenic.<ref name="ArtDecoInChennai"/> The [[Chepauk Palace]] in the city, designed by [[Paul Benfield]], is said to be the first Indo-Saracenic building in India.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indo-saracenic Architecture |work=Henry Irwin, Architect in India, 1841–1922 |publisher=higman.de |url=http://www.higman.de/Henry%20Irwin/indo-saracenic.htm |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730131008/http://www.higman.de/Henry%20Irwin/indo-saracenic.htm |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> Since then, many of the colonial-era buildings in the city were designed in this style of architecture, which is most apparent around the [[Fort St. George]] built in 1640. Most of these were designed by English architects [[Robert Fellowes Chisholm]] and [[Henry Irwin]]. The best examples of this style include the [[Madras High Court]] (built in 1892), [[Southern Railway headquarters, Chennai|Southern Railway headquarters]], [[Ripon Building]], [[Government Museum, Chennai|Government Museum]], Senate House of the [[University of Madras]], [[Amir Mahal]], [[Bharat Insurance Building]], [[Victoria Public Hall]] and the [[College of Engineering, Guindy|College of Engineering]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Jeyaraj |first=George J. |title=Indo Saracenic Architecture in Channai |publisher=CMDA |url=http://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/pdfs/seminar_heritage_buildings/Indo_Saracenic_Architecture_in_Chennai.pdf |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> The [[Triumph of Labour]], also known as the Labour statue, at the Marina Beach is an important landmark of Chennai.<ref>{{cite book |title=The History of Indian Art |publisher=saraswati publication |edition=2013}}</ref>

[[File:Southern Railway HQ.jpg|thumb|[[Southern Railway Headquarters, Chennai|Southern Railway Headquarters]], one of the fine examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture in the city]]
The construction of the National Art Gallery in Madras was completed in 1909. The new building, with a distinct façade, was built of pink sandstone brought from Sathyavedu, and formed part of the Madras Museum campus. It was opened, on 23 January 1909, by the Governor of Fort St. George, Sir [[Arthur Lawley]], and called the Victoria Memorial Hall after the Queen-Empress Victoria.<ref name=VictoriaRegina>"New for Old". Frontline. Volume 20 – Issue 14, 5 to 18 July 2003. India's National Magazine from publishers of the Hindu.</ref><ref name=Victoria2>Sir Arthur Lawley, Eloquent Knight Errant, Chapter 6. Catastrophe, Conspiracy, Celebration. The Benefits of Empire. Lady Lawley Cottage (Western Australian Red Cross) 2008 iBooks</ref><ref name=Victoria3>Sir Arthur Lawley's Photo Album, Empire and Commonwealth Museum</ref> The residential architecture in the city was based on the bungalow or the continuous row house prototypes.<ref name="ArtDecoInChennai"/> Gothic revival style buildings include the [[Chennai Central]] and [[Chennai Egmore]] railway stations. The [[Santhome Church]], which was originally built by the Portuguese in 1523 and is believed to house the remains of the [[Apostles in the New Testament|apostle]] [[Thomas the Apostle|St. Thomas]], was rebuilt in 1893 in [[neo-Gothic]] style.<ref name="ChennaiMagic_ADayInChennai">{{cite web |title=A day in Chennai |publisher=Chennai Magic |url=http://www.chennaimagic.com/day_in_chennai.htm |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708171802/http://www.chennaimagic.com/day_in_chennai.htm |archive-date=8 July 2013}}</ref>

By the early 20th century, the [[art deco]] too made its entry upon the city's urban landscape. From the 1930s onwards, many buildings in [[George Town, Chennai|George Town]] were built in this style, including the United India building (presently housing the [[Life Insurance Corporation of India]] (LIC)) and the Burma Shell building (presently the Chennai House), both built in the 1930s, and the Dare House, built in 1940. Other examples include the Bombay Mutual building (presently housing LIC) and the South Indian Chamber of Commerce building.<ref name="ArtDecoInChennai">{{cite news |last=Sitalakshmi |first=K. R. |title=Art Deco buildings in Chennai |location=Chennai |date=5 August 2006 |url=http://www.hindu.com/pp/2006/08/05/stories/2006080500190400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204104825/http://www.hindu.com/pp/2006/08/05/stories/2006080500190400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 December 2008 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> After [[Partition of India|Independence]], the city witnessed a rise in the [[Modernism]] style of architecture.<ref name="ArtDecoInChennai"/> The completion of the [[LIC Building]] in 1959, the tallest building in the country at that time,<ref name="ReachingTheSky">{{Cite news |last=Srivathsan |first=A. |title=Reaching the sky |location=Chennai |date=14 July 2007 |url=http://www.hindu.com/pp/2007/07/14/stories/2007071450191100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070918053410/http://www.hindu.com/pp/2007/07/14/stories/2007071450191100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 September 2007 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> marked the transition from lime-and-brick construction to concrete columns in the region.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kannan |first=Shanthi |title=GREEN buildings |location=Chennai |date=19 March 2005 |url=http://www.hindu.com/pp/2005/03/19/stories/2005031900110100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050507154431/http://www.hindu.com/pp/2005/03/19/stories/2005031900110100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 May 2005 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> The presence of the [[Doppler weather radar|weather radar]] at the [[Chennai Port]], however, prohibited the construction of buildings taller than 60&nbsp;m around a radius of 10&nbsp;km for several decades that followed.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Koshy |first=Jacob P. |title=Doppler radar may put cap on building heights |publisher=Livemint.com |location=New Delhi |date=13 December 2007 |url=https://www.livemint.com/Industry/OODRIEHbh9UFiYHBvNgaJP/Doppler-radar-may-put-cap-on-building-heights.html |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224134258/https://www.livemint.com/Industry/OODRIEHbh9UFiYHBvNgaJP/Doppler-radar-may-put-cap-on-building-heights.html |archive-date=24 February 2021}}</ref> In addition, the floor-area ratio (FAR) in the central business district is also 1.5, much less than that of smaller cities of the country. This resulted in the city expanding horizontally, unlike other metropolitan cities where vertical growth was prominent. On the contrary, the peripheral regions, especially on the southern and south-western sides, began experiencing vertical growth with the construction of buildings up to 60 floors. Within the downtown area, the 48-storied [[Highliving District Tower H]] remains the tallest building at 161 metres.<ref name="TOI_CityWithinACity">{{cite news |title=Living in a city within a city: How is SPR City redefining the residential market? |newspaper=The Times of India |location=Chennai |publisher=The Times Group |date=30 May 2019 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/living-in-a-city-within-a-city-how-is-spr-city-redefining-the-residential-market/articleshow/67414866.cms |access-date=9 September 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105115119/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/living-in-a-city-within-a-city-how-is-spr-city-redefining-the-residential-market/articleshow/67414866.cms |archive-date=5 January 2020}}</ref>

==Demographics==
===Population===
{{Main|Demographics of Chennai|Religion in Chennai}}
{{Historical population
| source = {{ubl|
*1639–1791:<ref>{{cite book |title=Vestiges of Old Madras, Vol 3 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.24142 |chapter=Population of Madras |author=H. D. Love |year=1913 |page=557}}</ref>
*1871–1901:<ref>{{cite book |title=Imperial Gazetter of India, Volume 16 |year=1908 |publisher=Clarendon Press}}</ref>
*1871–1931:<ref>{{cite book |title=The politics of heritage from Madras to Chennai |url=https://archive.org/details/politicsheritage00hanc |url-access=limited |author=Mary Elizabeth Hancock |publisher=Indiana University Press |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-253-35223-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/politicsheritage00hanc/page/n236 220]}}</ref>
*1931–1951:<ref>{{Cite book |title=Madras Rediscovered |last=Muthiah |first=S. |year=2004 |author-link=S. Muthiah |publisher=East West Books (Madras) Pvt Ltd |isbn=81-88661-24-4 |page=22}}</ref>
*1951–1961:<ref>{{cite book |title=Studies in Demography |author=Sangya Srivastava |publisher=Anmol Publications PVT. LTD |year=2005 |isbn=978-81-261-1992-9 |page=251}}</ref>
*1991–2001:<ref>{{cite web |title=Area and Population |work=Chennai District Statistical Handbook |url=http://www.chennai.tn.nic.in/shb-pdf/SHB001%20-%20AREA%20POPULATION.pdf |publisher=District Administration, Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830215520/http://www.chennai.tn.nic.in/shb-pdf/SHB001%20-%20AREA%20POPULATION.pdf |archive-date=30 August 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*2001:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf |title=2011 Census results |publisher=Government of India |access-date=12 October 2015}}</ref>
*2011:<ref name="Greater Chennai Corporation unveiled">{{cite news |title=Chennai Corporation is re-christened Greater Chennai Corporation |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/It%E2%80%99s-all-about-the-glories-of-Greater-Chennai/article14029085.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |access-date=31 January 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020183202/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/It%E2%80%99s-all-about-the-glories-of-Greater-Chennai/article14029085.ece |archive-date=20 October 2020}}</ref>
}}
|1639 | 7000
|1646 | 19000
|1670 | 40000
|1681 | 200000
|1685 | 300000
|1691 | 400000
|1715 | 100000
|1726 | 100000
|1733 | 100000
|1791 | 300000
|1871 | 367552
|1881 | 405848
|1891 | 452518
|1901 | 509346
|1911 | 518660
|1921 | 526911
|1931 | 647232
|1941 | 777481
|1951 | 1416056
|1961 | 1729141
|1971 | 2469449
|1981 | 3266034
|1991 | 3841396
|2001 | 4343645
|2011 | 7088000
}}

A resident of Chennai is called a ''Chennaite''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chennaite to represent India at Abilympics |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/02/stories/2007030218830300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303103520/http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/02/stories/2007030218830300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 March 2007 |access-date=28 December 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=2 March 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Lakshmi |first=C. S. |title=The Unhurried City: Writings on Chennai |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LnflUVu0w2QC |date=1 January 2004 |publisher=Penguin Books India |isbn=978-0-14-303026-3 |page=11}}</ref><ref name="Bergman">{{cite book |author=Bergman |title=Introduction to Geography |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ws6om7JHZ-sC |date=2003 |publisher=Pearson Education |isbn=978-81-317-0210-9 |page=485}}</ref> According to 2011 census, the city had a population of 4,646,732, within an area of 174 square kilometres administered by the Municipal Corporation, working out a population density of 26,705 persons per square kilometre;<ref name="smartcities.gov.in">{{cite web |url=http://smartcities.gov.in/writereaddata/CitiesProfile/TamilNadu_Chennai.pdf |title=Smart Cities Mission |publisher=Government of India}}</ref> that had 11&nbsp;lakh households, with 51% of them living in rented houses.<ref>{{cite news |last=Aloysius Xavier Lopez |title=Half of city lives in rented homes |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/half-of-city-lives-in-rented-homes/article3251937.ece |access-date=28 December 2012 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=28 March 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804032435/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/half-of-city-lives-in-rented-homes/article3251937.ece |archive-date=4 August 2020}}</ref> The city's limits were expanded later in 2011 to 426 square kilometres and its population reached 7,088,000,<ref name="Greater Chennai Corporation unveiled"/> resulting in a population density of 16,639 persons per square kilometre, with Chennai Municipal Corporation being renamed as [[Greater Chennai Corporation]].<ref name="Greater Chennai Corporation unveiled"/>

As of 2019, 712,000 families live below poverty line, which is about 40 percent of the 1.788&nbsp;million families in the city.<ref>{{cite news |title=Number of people below the poverty line to increase in city |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |page=3 |publisher=Kasturi & Sons |date=13 May 2019 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/number-of-people-below-the-poverty-line-to-increase-in-city/article27111004.ece |access-date=20 May 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024213617/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/number-of-people-below-the-poverty-line-to-increase-in-city/article27111004.ece |archive-date=24 October 2020}}</ref>

===Languages===
[[Tamil people|Tamils]] form the majority of Chennai's population. [[Indian English|English]] is spoken largely by [[white-collar worker]]s,<ref>{{cite book |last=Siddique |first=Zahra |year=2008 |title=Ethnicity, Race and Gender in the Labor Market |page=30 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kqRLGSCgfLUC&pg=PA30 |isbn=978-0-549-50781-9}}</ref> often mixed into Tamil.<ref>{{cite book |author1=Joseph Getter |author2=B.Balasubrahmaniyan |editor-first=Mark |editor-last=Slobin |title=Global Soundtracks: Worlds of Film Music |publisher=Wesleyan University Press |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VQw5Ci7sbasC&pg=PA119 |date=29 September 2008 |page=119 |chapter=Tamil Film Music: Sound and Significance |isbn=978-0-8195-6882-3}}{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/kannadigas-outnumber-malayalis-21-in-tamil-nadu/articleshow/2952062.cms |title=Kannadigas outnumber Malayalis 2:1 in Tamil Nadu |work=The Times of India |access-date=28 December 2012 |date=15 April 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131144158/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Kannadigas-outnumber-Malayalis-21-in-Tamil-Nadu/articleshow/2952062.cms |archive-date=31 January 2021}}</ref> In 2001, out of the 2,937,000 migrants (33.8% of its population) in the city, 61.5% were from other parts of the state, 33.8% were from rest of India and 3.7% were from outside the country.<ref name="masterplan_demography">{{cite web |title=Demography |work=Second Master Plan |publisher=Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority |url=http://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/Volume1_English_PDF/Vol1_Chapter02_Demography.pdf |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> As per the 2001 census, the number of speakers mother tongue wise are as follows, [[Tamil language|Tamil]] is spoken by 3,424,107 (78.8%), followed by [[Telugu language|Telugu]] by 419,209 (9.7%), [[Urdu]] by 180,245 (4.1%), [[Malayalam]] by 113,828 (2.6%), [[Hindi]] by 104,084 (2.4%), and [[Kannada]] by 22,250 (0.5%).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/DigitalLibrary/MFTableSeries.aspx |title=Welcome to Census of India: Census India Library |website=www.censusindia.gov.in |access-date=27 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315050316/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/DigitalLibrary/MFTableSeries.aspx |archive-date=15 March 2016}}</ref> [[Korean language|Korean]], [[Japanese Language|Japanese]], [[French language|French]], [[Mandarin Chinese]], [[Russian Language|Russian]], [[German language|German]] and [[Spanish Language|Spanish]] are some of the languages spoken by the 250,000 foreign expatriates residing in the city.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/k-and-the-city-why-are-more-and-more-chennaiites-learning-korean/article25256267.ece |title=K and the city: Why are more and more Chennaiites learning Korean? |first=Sweta |last=Akundi |newspaper=The Hindu |date=18 October 2018 |via=www.thehindu.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128030545/https://www.thehindu.com/society/k-and-the-city-why-are-more-and-more-chennaiites-learning-korean/article25256267.ece |archive-date=28 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/how-mandarin-has-become-crucial-in-chennai/article25321543.ece |title=How Mandarin has become crucial in Chennai |first=Sweta |last=Akundi |newspaper=The Hindu |date=25 October 2018 |via=www.thehindu.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203115726/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/how-mandarin-has-become-crucial-in-chennai/article25321543.ece |archive-date=3 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/feb/21/how-many-tongues-can-you-speak-1776354.html |title=How many tongues can you speak? |website=The New Indian Express |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107191558/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/feb/21/how-many-tongues-can-you-speak-1776354.html |archive-date=7 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/guten-morgen-chennaiites-signing-up-for-german-lessons-on-the-rise/articleshow/64152188.cms |title=Guten Morgen! Chennaiites signing up for German lessons on the rise &#124; Chennai News – Times of India |website=The Times of India |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129115236/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/guten-morgen-chennaiites-signing-up-for-german-lessons-on-the-rise/articleshow/64152188.cms |archive-date=29 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/india-file/konnichiwa/article22157129.ece1 |title=Konnichiwa! |website=@businessline |date=25 September 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020210354/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/specials/india-file/konnichiwa/article22157129.ece1 |archive-date=20 October 2020}}</ref>

===Religion and ethnicity===
{{bar box
 |title=Religions in Chennai City (2011)<ref name=religion2011/>
 |titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|darkorange|80.73}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|green|9.45}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity]]|blue|7.72}}
{{bar percent|[[Jainism]]|brown|1.11}}
{{bar percent|Others|black|0.99}}
}}

Chennai, along with [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]], [[Mumbai]] and [[Delhi]], is one of the few Indian cities that are home to a diverse population of ethno-religious communities.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-magic-of-melting-pot-called-chennai/article2728177.ece |title=The magic of melting pot called Chennai |work=The Hindu |date=19 December 2011 |access-date=29 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111201746/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-magic-of-melting-pot-called-chennai/article2728177.ece |archive-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> Minorities include [[Telugu people|Telugus]], [[Marwaris]], [[Gujarati people|Gujaratis]], [[Parsi]]s,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/03/10/stories/2008031050410500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414165824/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/03/10/stories/2008031050410500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 April 2008 |title=The Parsi Arrival |date=10 March 2008 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2018%20No%2012/parsis_of_madras.html |title=The Parsis of Madras |journal=Madras Musings |date=15 October 2008 |volume=XVIII |issue=12 |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref> [[Sindhi people|Sindhis]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/sindhis-to-usher-in-new-year-with-fanfare/articleshow/12387158.cms |title=Sindhis to usher in new year with fanfare |work=The Times of India |date=24 March 2012 |access-date=29 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002201726/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Sindhis-to-usher-in-new-year-with-fanfare/articleshow/12387158.cms |archive-date=2 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/04/03/stories/2003040300060100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030622220001/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/04/03/stories/2003040300060100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 June 2003 |title=Catholic in outlook |date=3 April 2003 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref> [[Odia people|Odias]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/why-oriyas-find-chennai-warm-and-hospitable/articleshow/13104180.cms |title=Why Oriyas find Chennai warm and hospitable |work=The Times of India |date=12 May 2012 |access-date=29 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003065711/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Why-Oriyas-find-Chennai-warm-and-hospitable/articleshow/13104180.cms |archive-date=3 October 2016}}</ref> [[Goans]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/businessline/2000/12/18/stories/101872mz.htm |title=Goan spirit in Chennai |work=The Hindu |date=18 December 2000 |access-date=29 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318134242/http://www.hindu.com/businessline/2000/12/18/stories/101872mz.htm |archive-date=18 March 2014}}</ref> [[Kannadigas]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/chennais-kannadigas-not-complaining/articleshow/2926980.cms |title=Chennai's Kannadigas not complaining |work=The Times of India |date=5 April 2008 |access-date=29 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180609022307/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Chennais-Kannadigas-not-complaining/articleshow/2926980.cms |archive-date=9 June 2018}}</ref> [[Anglo-Indians]],<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2020%20No%2012/the-anglo-indians-of-madras.html |title=The Anglo-Indians of Chennai |journal=Madras Musings |volume=XX |issue=12 |date=15 October 2010 |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref> [[Bengali people|Bengalis]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/a-slice-of-bengal-in-chennai/articleshow/16902833.cms |title=A slice of Bengal in Chennai |work=The Times of India |date=22 October 2012 |access-date=29 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407181944/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/a-slice-of-bengal-in-chennai/articleshow/16902833.cms |archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref> [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]],<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2019%20No%2011/the-punjabis-of-chennai.html |first=Madhu |last=B.R. |title=The Punjabis of Chennai |journal=Madras Musings |volume=XX |issue=12 |date=16 September 2009 |access-date=29 December 2012}}</ref> and [[Malayalees]]. As per the religious census of 2011, Chennai's population was 80.73% [[Hindu]], 9.45% [[Muslim]], 7.72% [[Christians|Christian]], 1.11% [[Jainism|Jain]], 0.06% [[Sikh]], 0.06% [[Buddhist]], <0.04% followed other religions and 0.83% followed no religion or did not indicate any religious preference.<ref name=religion2011>{{cite web |title=Population By Religious Community – Tamil Nadu |year=2011 |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html |format=XLS |publisher=Office of The Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |access-date=13 September 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Kapaleeswarar1.jpg|thumb|[[Kapaleeshwarar Temple]], a Hindu shrine in the neighborhood of Mylapore|218x218px]]
[[File:Santhome Basilica.jpg|thumb|[[St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai|Santhome Basilica]], a Christian [[cathedral]] in Mylapore as well|253x253px]]
[[File:Triplicane Wallajah Mosque.JPG|thumb|[[Triplicane Big Mosque]], a prominent mosque in Chennai|217x217px]]

===Housing===
{{See also|List of tallest buildings in Chennai}}
In a 2013 survey titled 'Emerging trends in real estate in Asia Pacific 2014', Chennai emerged in the top 25 real estate destinations list in the Asia Pacific region. The city ranked 22nd in the list.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chennai in top 25 real estate destinations in Asia-Pacific: PwC survey |newspaper=Business Line |location=Mumbai |date=10 December 2013 |publisher=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/real-estate/chennai-in-top-25-real-estate-destinations-in-asia-pacific-pwc-survey/article23159480.ece |access-date=22 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407182046/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/real-estate/chennai-in-top-25-real-estate-destinations-in-asia-pacific-pwc-survey/article23159480.ece |archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref> There are about 1,240 [[slums in Chennai]] home to about 900,000 people.<ref name="CC_HealthInfrastructure">{{cite web |title=Departments—Health |publisher=Corporation of Chennai |url=http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/departments/health/infrastructure.htm |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217221833/http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/departments/health/infrastructure.htm |archive-date=17 December 2012}}</ref>

Per 2011 census, there are 1.1&nbsp;million households in the city and the residential housing stock available is 1,150,000 – a surplus of about 50,000 houses. About 43,700 of them are kept vacant. In the suburbs of Chennai located in Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts, the figures of vacant houses 56,000 and 71,000, respectively. Of the existing housing stock in the city, about 200,000 houses are not in good condition, necessitating either to rebuild or build new units. About 26,000 households live in houses without any room and another 427,000 families (with an average size of five members) live in small dwelling units with only one room. An earlier estimate shows that there is a need to generate about 420,000 units for low-income groups by 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last=Srivathsan |first=A. |title=Plenty of houses, few affordable |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=5 November 2012 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/plenty-of-houses-few-affordable/article4065091.ece |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730144141/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/plenty-of-houses-few-affordable/article4065091.ece |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref>

{{As of|2012}}, an estimated population of 11,116 (0.16 percent) were homeless. Per Supreme Court guidelines, the city needs 65 shelters for the homeless. However, it has only 15, of which eight are functioning and two are under renovation.<ref>{{cite news |last=Manish |title=Shelters Stay Shuttered |newspaper=The Times of India |location=Chennai |date=27 March 2013}}</ref>

As of 2017, there are more than 2.2&nbsp;million households, with 40 percent of the residents not owning a house.<ref>{{cite news |last=Xavier Lopez |first=Aloysius |title=The shelter stalemate |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=26 August 2017 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-shelter-stalemate/article19562923.ece |access-date=30 September 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041140/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-shelter-stalemate/article19562923.ece |archive-date=12 November 2020}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==
{{Main|Culture of Chennai}}
{{See also|Tamil culture}}

===Museums and art galleries===
[[File:Chennai National Art Gallery.jpg|thumb|left|National Art Gallery, Chennai]]
Chennai is home to many museums, galleries, and other institutions, many of which are free of admission charges and are major tourist attractions as well as playing a research role.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/121216/news-current-affairs/article/cm-wants-global-arts-fest-chennai |title=CM wants global arts fest in Chennai |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=16 December 2012 |access-date=29 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101230438/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/121216/news-current-affairs/article/cm-wants-global-arts-fest-chennai |archive-date=1 January 2013}}</ref> The city also has one of the oldest museums and art galleries in the country{{snd}}[[Government Museum, Chennai]] and the [[National Art Gallery, Chennai]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/04/03/stories/2009040350570300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408215041/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/04/03/stories/2009040350570300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 April 2009 |title=Where creativity thrives |date=3 April 2009 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=25 November 2013}}</ref> established in the early 18th century.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/education/college-and-university/for-a-solid-grounding-in-arts/article2042038.ece |title=For a solid grounding in arts |work=The Hindu |date=3 April 2009 |access-date=29 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118041236/http://www.thehindu.com/education/college-and-university/for-a-solid-grounding-in-arts/article2042038.ece |archive-date=18 January 2013}}</ref>

The city also hosts two art festivals annually. The "Fort Museum" inside the premises of Fort St. George is an important museum having a noteworthy collection of objects of the British era in its collection.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_museums_chennai.asp |title=Fort St. George museum |publisher=[[Archaeological Survey of India]] |access-date=12 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016071725/http://asi.nic.in/asi_museums_chennai.asp |archive-date=16 October 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The museum is managed by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]] and has in its possession, the first [[Flag of India]] hoisted at [[Fort St. George, India|Fort St George]] after the declaration of India's Independence on [[Independence Day (India)|15 August 1947]].<ref name=FirstIndianFlagBL>{{cite news |title=Indian tri-colour hoisted at Chennai in 1947 to be on display |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/Indian-tricolour-hoisted-at-Chennai-in-1947-to-be-on-display/article20567638.ece |newspaper=The Hindu Business Line |access-date=4 July 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407182137/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/Indian-tricolour-hoisted-at-Chennai-in-1947-to-be-on-display/article20567638.ece |archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref>

===Music and performing arts===
[[File:MGR Memorial Chennai.jpg|thumb|MGR Memorial at Marina beach, Chennai]]
Chennai is a major centre for music, art and culture in India.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mag/2002/12/01/stories/2002120100770500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040509012345/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mag/2002/12/01/stories/2002120100770500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 May 2004 |title=Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=1 December 2002}}</ref> The city is known for its classical dance shows. In 1930, for the first time in India, [[Madras University]] introduced a course of music, as part of the Bachelor of Arts curriculum.<ref name="Lakshmi Subramanian">{{cite book |title=New Mansions for Music: Performance, Pedagogy and Criticism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hY6PQ_eK7IUC |work=Social Science Press |author=Lakshmi Subramanian |pages=121–122 |isbn=978-81-87358-34-3 |year=2008}}</ref> The ''[[Madras Music Season]]'', initiated by [[Madras Music Academy]] in 1927, is celebrated every year during the month of December.<ref>{{cite book |last=Knight |first=Douglas M. Jr. |title=Balasaraswati: Her Art and Life |year=2010 |publisher=Wesleyan University Press |isbn=978-0-8195-6906-6 |page=78 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q3EsA2NooW4C}}</ref> It features performances of traditional [[Carnatic music]] by many artists in and around the city.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/01/02/stories/2009010251120700.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826155000/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/01/02/stories/2009010251120700.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 August 2013 |title=Diary of a different kind |author=Charukesi |date=2 January 2009 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> The main folk music in Chennai is [[Gaana]], a combination of various folk musics sung mainly sung in the working-class area of North Chennai.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Torching prejudice through gumption and Gaana |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/music/101019/torching-prejudice-through-gumption-and-gaana.html |last=G |first=Ezekiel Majello |date=10 October 2019 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en |access-date=12 May 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206015436/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/music/101019/torching-prejudice-through-gumption-and-gaana.html |archive-date=6 December 2020}}</ref>
[[File:Valluvar Kottam.JPG|thumb|[[Valluvar Kottam]]]]
An arts festival called the [[Chennai Sangamam]], which showcases not only various art of Tamil Nadu, but also from the neighbouring states, like ''kalari'' (from Kerala), which is a major attraction, is held in January every year. The Speciality of Chennai Sangamam is that the various programmes are held near or at the various famous landmarks in the city so that everyone in the city has access to the programmes and there is no fee charged for entry for any of the programmes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chennaisangamam.com/ |title=Chennai Sangamam 2011 |publisher=The official website |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> ''Pookolam'', a form of art that uses coloured flour to create patterns and designs, comes from Kerala, but can be seen in abundance at the time of [[Onam]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onamfestival.org/pookalam.html |title=Pookalam |access-date=12 October 2015 |publisher=onamfestival.org |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125191433/http://www.onamfestival.org/pookalam.html |archive-date=25 January 2021}}</ref>

The city has a diverse theatre scene and is one of the important centres for [[Bharata Natyam]], a classical dance form that originated in Tamil Nadu and is the oldest dance of India.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i2vDlcIyVjUC&pg=PA262 |title=World Musics in Context: A Comprehensive Survey of the World's Major Musical Cultures |publisher=Oxford University Press |author=Peter Fletcher |isbn=978-0-19-816636-8 |date=29 April 2004}}</ref> An important cultural centre for Bharata Natyam is [[Kalakshetra]], on the beach in the south of the city.<ref>{{cite news |author=GR |url=http://hindu.com/2000/12/02/stories/0902033h.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020326184925/http://www.hindu.com/2000/12/02/stories/0902033h.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 March 2002 |title=Yearning for Chennai ambiance |access-date=28 December 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=2 December 2000}}</ref> In 2012, a group of five Bharatha Natyam dancers from Chennai performed at the ''India Campaign'' during the [[2012 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="bnatolympic">{{cite news |title=Bharatanatyam at London Olympics |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/bharatanatyam-at-london-olympics/article3753736.ece |date=11 August 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804012953/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/bharatanatyam-at-london-olympics/article3753736.ece |archive-date=4 August 2020}}</ref>
Chennai has been featured in [[UNESCO Creative Cities Network]] (UCCN) list since October 2017 for its century-old musical tradition.<ref name="UCCNList"/> Chennai is also home to some choirs, who during the Christmas season stage various carol performances across the city in Tamil and English.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/of-choirs-and-carols-110122500009_1.html |title=Of choirs and carols |work=[[Business Standard]] |year=2010 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210221239/https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/of-choirs-and-carols-110122500009_1.html |archive-date=10 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.go-nxg.com/?p=3155 |title=There's a song in the air.. |work=NXg |date=January 2009 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615082343/http://www.go-nxg.com/?p=3155 |archive-date=15 June 2013}}</ref>

==Cityscape==

Chennai is broadly divided into four regions: North, Central, South, and West. North Chennai is primarily an industrial area, with a higher population density and narrower roads. South and West Chennai, previously mostly residential, are rapidly becoming commercial, home to a growing number of information technology firms, financial companies and [[call centre]]s. The city is expanding quickly along the [[Old Mahabalipuram Road]] and the Grand Southern Trunk Road ([[Grand Southern Trunk Road|GST Road]]) in the south and towards [[Ambattur]], [[Koyambedu]] and [[Sriperumbudur|Sriperumbdur]] in the west.<ref>{{cite web |title=Structure of Chennai |work=Second Master Plan |publisher=Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority |pages=9, 10 |url=http://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/Volume3_English_PDF/Vol3_Chapter01_Structure%20of%20Chennai.pdf |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826201439/http://www.cmdachennai.gov.in/Volume3_English_PDF/Vol3_Chapter01_Structure%20of%20Chennai.pdf |archive-date=26 August 2013}}</ref> Central Chennai comprises residential elements, but is primarily home to the downtown area, and surrounding areas, the most visited by travellers to the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/tamilnadu/chennai-map.htm |title=Chennai City Map |access-date=12 October 2015}}</ref>

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Chennai}}
[[File:Dare House,Chennai.jpg|thumb|Corporate headquarters of the $10 billion Murugappa Group in Chennai]]
[[File:India Land Tech Park,Ambattur.JPG|left|thumb|[[Chennai Tech Park|India Land Tech Park]], [[Ambattur]]]]
[[File:Infosys Mcity, Building number 5.jpg|thumb|[[Infosys]] at [[Mahindra World City, New Chennai|Mahindra World City]], Chennai]]
[[File:ALCOB Ashok Leyland Corporate Building in Guindy, Chennai.jpg|thumb|[[Ashok Leyland]] Corporate Headquarters in [[Guindy]], Chennai]]
[[File:TCS-Siruseri-Building.jpg|left|thumb|[[Tata Consultancy Services|TATA Consultancy Services]], Chennai]]
[[File:Cognizant's Delivery Center in Chennai -TCO.jpg|thumb|[[Cognizant]]'s Delivery Center in Chennai]]

Recent estimates of the economy of the entire [[Chennai Metropolitan Area]] range from $78.6 to $86&nbsp;billion ([[Purchasing power parity|PPP]] [[Gross domestic product|GDP]]), ranking it from [[List of cities by GDP|fourth- to sixth-most productive metro area]] of India.<ref name=gdp>
*{{cite web |title=Global city GDP 2014 |url=https://www.brookings.edu/research/global-metro-monitor/ |publisher=[[Brookings Institution]] |date=22 January 2015 |access-date=4 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525113815/https://www.brookings.edu/research/global-metro-monitor/ |archive-date=25 May 2017}}
*{{cite web |title=Global city GDP rankings 2008–2025 |url=https://www.ukmediacentre.pwc.com/imagelibrary/downloadMedia.ashx?MediaDetailsID=1562 |publisher=[[Pricewaterhouse Coopers|PwC]] |access-date=16 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504031739/https://www.ukmediacentre.pwc.com/imagelibrary/downloadMedia.ashx?MediaDetailsID=1562 |archive-date=4 May 2011}}
*{{cite web |title=India's top 15 cities with the highest GDP Photos Yahoo! India Finance |url=https://in.finance.yahoo.com/photos/the-top-15-indian-cities-by-gdp-1348807591-slideshow/the-top-15-indian-cities-by-gdp-photo-1348807049.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009131024/https://in.finance.yahoo.com/photos/the-top-15-indian-cities-by-gdp-1348807591-slideshow/the-top-15-indian-cities-by-gdp-photo-1348807049.html |archive-date=9 October 2014 |publisher=[[Yahoo! Finance]] |date=28 September 2012 |access-date=27 March 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Chennai has a broad industrial base in the automobile, computer, technology, hardware manufacturing and healthcare sectors. {{As of|2012}}, the city is India's second-largest exporter of information technology (IT) and [[business process outsourcing]] (BPO) services.<ref name="Nasscom">{{cite web |title=Chennai activities |url=http://www.nasscom.org/chennai-activities |publisher=[[NASSCOM]] |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116141448/http://nasscom.org/chennai-activities |archive-date=16 November 2012}}</ref><ref name="itchennai2">{{cite news |title=Chennai emerging as India's Silicon Valley? |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Infotech/Software/Chennai_emerging_as_Indias_Silicon_Valley/articleshow/3000410.cms |work=[[The Economic Times]] |date=1 May 2008 |access-date=28 December 2012 |first=Rajesh |last=Chandramouli |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820000027/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Infotech/Software/Chennai_emerging_as_Indias_Silicon_Valley/articleshow/3000410.cms |archive-date=20 August 2020}}</ref> A major part of India's automobile industry is located in and around the city thus earning it the nickname "[[Detroit of India]]".<ref name="USDept1997">{{cite book |title=Business America |date=1997 |publisher=U.S. Department of Commerce |page=14 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0Aa4AAAAIAAJ |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Devonshire">{{cite book |author=Chris Devonshire-Ellis |title=Doing Business in India |year=2012 |publisher=[[Springer Science+Business Media|Springer]] |isbn=978-3-642-27617-0 |page=218 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aIx9E5I9LB8C&pg=PA218}}</ref><ref name="USITC">{{cite book |last=U.S. International Trade Commission |title=Competitive Conditions for Foreign Direct Investment in India, Staff Research Study #30 |year=2007 |publisher=DIANE Publishing |isbn=978-1-4578-1829-5 |pages=2–10 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hMIo-FZXCYEC&pg=SA2-PA10}}</ref><ref name="EcoNews">{{cite web|publisher=Economist Newspaper Ltd. |title=The economist |year=2004 |volume=370 |issue=8361–8364 |page=282 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MhjQAAAAIAAJ}}</ref><ref name="THT_ThiruViKa">{{cite news |last= |first= |title=தெரு வாசகம்: கார்களை அலங்கரிக்கும் சாலை |newspaper=The Hindu Tamil |location=Chennai |pages= |language= |publisher=Kasturi & Sons |date=6 July 2018 |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/supplements/sontha-veedu/134991-.html |access-date=21 December 2021}}</ref> Known as the "Gateway of South India",<ref name="OT_ScorchingHot">{{cite web |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/70874/things-to-do-in-chennai |title=Scorching hot during summer and unbelievably crowded, the modern city of Chennai dipped in traditions from its Madras days never fails to surprise a traveller |last=Mohan |first=Vishnu |date=5 October 2020 |website= |publisher=Outlook Traveller |access-date=31 December 2021 |quote=}}</ref><ref name="OI_TourismDay2018">{{cite news |last=Vikas |first=S. V. |title=World Tourism Day 2018: Significance, theme and why it is observed |newspaper=One India |location=New Delhi |pages= |language= |date=27 September 2018 |url=https://www.oneindia.com/india/world-tourism-day-2018-significance-theme-why-it-is-observed-2783487.html |access-date=27 September 2018}}</ref><ref name="National_Unwrapped">{{cite news |last=Grover |first=Amar |title=Chennai unwrapped: Why the city is the great international gateway to South India |newspaper=The National |location=Chennai |pages= |language= |date=17 September 2019 |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/travel/chennai-unwrapped-why-the-city-is-the-great-international-gateway-to-south-india-1.911568 |access-date=31 December 2021}}</ref><ref name="OI_Turns375">{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Reetu |title=Chennai turns 375: Things you should know about 'Gateway to South India' |newspaper=One India |location=Chennai |pages= |language= |date=23 August 2014 |url=https://www.oneindia.com/feature/chennai-turns-375-years-old-things-you-should-know-1507481.html |access-date=20 March 2021}}</ref> Chennai is the third-most visited city in India by international tourists according to Euromonitor.<ref name="Che"/> The city is also called the Cultural Capital of South India.<ref name="Kamath2000">{{cite book |author=Rina Kamath |title=Chennai |year=2000 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |isbn=978-81-250-1378-5 |page=66 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bw2vDg2fTrMC&pg=PA66}}</ref> The city was home to the [[Madras Stock Exchange]], India's fourth stock exchange, one of four permanently recognised by [[SEBI]], and India's third-largest by trading volume, ranked behind the [[Bombay Stock Exchange]] and the [[National Stock Exchange of India]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.madrasstockexchange.in |title=Madras Stock Exchange |access-date=12 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216110236/http://www.madrasstockexchange.in/ |archive-date=16 February 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="investorsmse">{{cite news |title=Investors told to go in for long term investment, index funds |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/investors-told-to-go-in-for-long-term-investment-index-funds/article3222777.ece |date=25 March 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Trichy |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804024931/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/investors-told-to-go-in-for-long-term-investment-index-funds/article3222777.ece |archive-date=4 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.madrasstockexchange.in/ |title=The Organisation |work=Madras Stock Exchange |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906061853/http://www.madrasstockexchange.in/ |archive-date=6 September 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Industrialisation in the city dates back to the 16th century, when textile mills manufactured goods which were exported to British during its war with France. According to ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine, Chennai is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world and is ranked among the "''Forbes''-Top 10 Fastest Growing Cities in the World".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/2010/10/07/cities-china-chicago-opinions-columnists-joel-kotkin_slide_11.html |title=In pictures: the next decade's fastest-growing cities&nbsp;– Chennai, India |work=Forbes |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121195323/https://www.forbes.com/2010/10/07/cities-china-chicago-opinions-columnists-joel-kotkin_slide_11.html |archive-date=21 November 2018}}</ref> It is ranked 4th in hosting the maximum number of ''Fortune'' 500 companies of India, next only to [[Mumbai]], [[Delhi]] and [[Kolkata]]. It also is home to 24 Indian companies having a net worth of more than US$1&nbsp;billion. {{As of|2012}}, the city has about 34,260 identified companies in its 15 zones, of which 5,196 companies have a paid-up the capital of over {{INR}} 50 lakh.<ref>{{cite news |title=Company tax upped, capped at ₹ 30,000 |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=30 October 2012 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/company-tax-upped-capped-at-rs-30000/article4044728.ece |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730140428/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/company-tax-upped-capped-at-rs-30000/article4044728.ece |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Zoho headquarters in chennai.jpg|thumb|left|[[Zoho Corporation|Zoho]] Headquarters in Chennai]]
Chennai has a diversified economic base anchored by the automobile, software services, hardware manufacturing, health care and financial services industries.<ref name="Nasscom"/> According to the [[Confederation of Indian Industry]], Chennai is estimated to grow to a US$100&nbsp;billion economy, 2.5 times its present size, by 2025.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/Seminar-to-focus-on-Chennairsquos-growth-potential/article20139919.ece |title=Seminar to focus on Chennai's growth potential |work=The Hindu |date=21 August 2008 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213024301/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/Seminar-to-focus-on-Chennairsquos-growth-potential/article20139919.ece |archive-date=13 February 2021}}</ref> {{As of|2012}}, with {{INR}} 1&nbsp;lakh crore investment in the pipeline over 5 years, the city is poised for major industrial investment.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://content.magicbricks.com/chennai-tops-in-occupancy-level-in-hospitality-sector |title=Chennai tops in occupancy level in hospitality sector |publisher=MagicBricks.com |date=5 October 2012 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213070307/http://content.magicbricks.com/chennai-tops-in-occupancy-level-in-hospitality-sector/ |archive-date=13 December 2012}}</ref> Chennai is classified as a [[global city]] by [[GaWC]], with a ranking of Beta<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2010t.html |title=GaWC – The World According to GaWC 2010 |publisher=Lboro.ac.uk |date=14 September 2011 |access-date=6 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010004859/http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2010t.html |archive-date=10 October 2013}}</ref> based on the extent of global reach and financial influence.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gcAx3bjuC98C&pg=PA23 |page=23 |title=Tourism and the branded city: film and identity on the Pacific Rim |publisher=Ashgate publishing Ltd. |isbn=978-0-7546-4829-1 |date=6 November 2007}}</ref> It is estimated that about 400 financial industry businesses are headquartered in the city,<ref>{{cite news |last=Shivakumar |first=C. |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/feb/28/chennai-finance-city-taking-shape-1779935.html |title=Chennai Finance City taking shape |publisher=Express Publications |date=28 February 2018 |access-date=17 March 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107162239/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/feb/28/chennai-finance-city-taking-shape-1779935.html |archive-date=7 November 2020}}</ref> half of which are located in the areas of Mylapore, R. A. Puram, Nungambakkam and T. Nagar.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shivakumar |first=C. |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2019/jun/08/state-of-the-art-commerce-hub-likely-on-anna-salai-1987448.html |title=State-of-the-art commerce hub likely on Anna Salai |newspaper=The New Indian Express |date=8 June 2019 |access-date=1 March 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921100423/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2019/jun/08/state-of-the-art-commerce-hub-likely-on-anna-salai-1987448.html |archive-date=21 September 2020}}</ref>

The city is base to around 40 percent of India's automobile industry and 45 percent of auto components industry.<ref name="mc1">{{cite news |url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/special-videos/chennai-the-next-global-auto-manufacturing-hub_539405.html |title=Chennai: The next global auto manufacturing hub? |work=CNBC-TV18 |access-date=28 December 2012 |date=27 April 2011 |publisher=[[CNBC]]}}</ref> A large number of automotive companies including [[Royal Enfield (India)|Royal enfield]], [[Hyundai Motor Company|Hyundai]], [[Renault]], [[Robert Bosch GmbH|Robert Bosch]], [[Nissan Motors]], [[Ashok Leyland]], [[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha Motor]], [[Daimler AG]], [[Caterpillar Inc.]], [[Komatsu Limited]], [[BharatBenz]], [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], [[BMW]], [[Citroën]] and [[Mitsubishi Motors|Mitsubishi]] have manufacturing plants in Chennai.<ref name="economictimes_auto">{{cite news |title=Chennai will be world's largest auto-manufacturing hub: Stalin |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/auto/automobiles/chennai-will-be-worlds-largest-auto-manufacturing-hub-stalin/articleshow/7470071.cms |work=The Economic Times |date=10 February 2011 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110213073608/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/auto/automobiles/chennai-will-be-worlds-largest-auto-manufacturing-hub-stalin/articleshow/7470071.cms |archive-date=13 February 2011}}</ref> The [[Heavy Vehicles Factory]] at [[Avadi]] produces military vehicles, including India's main battle tank: ''[[Arjun MBT]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/trials-of-arjun-mark-ii-start-in-pokhran/articleshow/14380569.cms |title=Trials of Arjun mark II start in Pokhran |access-date=28 December 2012 |date=25 June 2012 |newspaper=The Times of India |location=Jaisalmer |last=Bhatia |first=Vikram |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131021418/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Trials-of-Arjun-mark-II-start-in-Pokhran/articleshow/14380569.cms |archive-date=31 January 2017}}</ref> The [[Integral Coach Factory]] manufactures railway coaches and other rolling stock for [[Indian Railways]].<ref name=Integral_Coach_Factory>{{cite web |title=Profile |publisher=Integral Coach Factory |url=http://www.icf.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,294 |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106035451/http://www.icf.indianrailways.gov.in/view_section.jsp?lang=0&id=0,294 |archive-date=6 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Ambattur#Ambattur Industrial Estate|Ambattur–Padi industrial zone]] houses many textile manufacturers, and a special economic zone (SEZ) for apparel and footwear manufacturing has been set up in the southern suburbs of the city.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ravi Kumar |first=N |title=Mahindra City, a world of its own |date=3 December 2004 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/03/stories/2004120310000400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041223073916/http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/03/stories/2004120310000400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 December 2004 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> Chennai contributes more than 50 percent of India's leather exports.<ref>{{cite web |title=Development Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area |publisher=Govt. of India |page=13 |url=http://www.jnnurm.nic.in/toolkit/CDP_CHENNAI.PDF |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226213256/http://www.jnnurm.nic.in/toolkit/CDP_CHENNAI.PDF |archive-date=26 February 2008}}</ref>

Many software and software services companies have development centres in Chennai, which contributed 14 percent of India's total software exports of {{INR}} 14,42,140 lakh during 2006–07, making it the second largest Indian city software exporter following [[Bangalore]].<ref name="Nasscom"/> The [[Tidel Park]] in Chennai was billed as Asia's largest IT park when it was built.<ref name="fordithub">{{cite news |title=Ford's Rs. 200-cr. IT hub in Chennai |url=http://www.hindu.com/2000/11/02/stories/04022231.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020130201321/http://www.hindu.com/2000/11/02/stories/04022231.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 January 2002 |date=2 November 2000 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://specials.rediff.com/money/2008/jul/31slide5.htm |title=Work ethics: How Indian cities fare |access-date=28 December 2012 |publisher=[[Rediff]]}}</ref> Major software companies have their offices set up here, with some of them making Chennai their largest base.<ref name=itchennai2/>
[[File:Tid.jpg|thumb|[[Tidel Park]]]]
Prominent financial institutions, including the [[World Bank]], [[Standard Chartered Bank]], [[ABN AMRO]], [[Bank of America]], [[The Royal Bank of Scotland]], [[Goldman Sachs]], [[Barclays]], [[HSBC]], [[ING Group]], [[Allianz]], [[Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation]], [[The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ]], [[Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank]], [[Asian Development Bank]], [[Credit Suisse]], [[BNP Paribas Fortis]], Irevna, [[Deutsche Bank]] and [[Citibank]] have [[back office]] and development centre operations in the city.<ref>{{cite news |first=J |last=Padmapriya |title=RBS may set up a facility in Chennai |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/banking/finance/banking/rbs-may-set-up-a-facility-in-chennai/articleshow/4357134.cms |access-date=28 December 2012 |work=The Economic Times |date=4 April 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407183135/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/banking/finance/banking/rbs-may-set-up-a-facility-in-chennai/articleshow/4357134.cms |archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref> Chennai is home to the national level commercial banks [[Indian Bank]]<ref name="Indian-Bank">{{cite web |url=http://www.indianbank.in/BranchAddress.htm |title=Indian Bank Head Office |publisher=Indian Bank |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070801224238/http://www.indianbank.in/BranchAddress.htm |archive-date=1 August 2007}}</ref> and [[Indian Overseas Bank]]<ref name="IOB">{{cite news |last=Muthiah |first=S |title=The bank in a 'palace' grounds |date=1 October 2003 |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/10/01/stories/2003100100320300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031003010820/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/10/01/stories/2003100100320300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 October 2003 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref><ref name="BOB">{{cite web |title=Branch Network |publisher=Bharat Overseas Bank Bank |url=http://www.bharatoverseasbank.com/branch.asp |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306084711/http://www.bharatoverseasbank.com/branch.asp |archive-date=6 March 2012}}</ref> and many state level co–operative banks, finance and insurance companies. Telecom and Electronics manufacturers based in and around Chennai include [[Samsung]], [[Nokia Siemens]], [[Motorola]], [[Lenovo]], [[Dell]], [[Force10]], [[Wipro]], [[Flextronics]] and [[Siemens]] among others. Chennai is currently the largest electronics hardware exporter in India, accounting for 45% of the total exports in 2010–11.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Electronics Hardware Export 2010–11 |url=http://www.escindia.in/uploads/OVERALL%20ELECTRONICS%20HARDWARE%20EXPORT%202010-11.pdf |publisher=ECSIndia |access-date=9 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191958/http://www.escindia.in/uploads/OVERALL%20ELECTRONICS%20HARDWARE%20EXPORT%202010-11.pdf |archive-date=2 January 2014}}</ref> Telecom giants [[Ericsson]] and [[Alcatel-Lucent]], pharmaceuticals giant [[Pfizer]] and chemicals giant [[Dow Chemical Company|Dow Chemicals]] have research and development facilities in Chennai. The TICEL bio–tech park at [[Taramani]]<ref name="ticel-park">{{cite web |title=List of clients |publisher=TICEL Bio Park |url=http://www.ticelbiopark.com/clients.html |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331021341/http://www.ticelbiopark.com/clients.html |archive-date=31 March 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and Golden Jubilee bio–tech park at [[Siruseri]]<ref name="golden-jubilee-park">{{cite web |title=Existing units |publisher=Golden Jubilee Biotech Park for Women Society |url=http://www.biotechpark.co.in/existing.html |access-date=2 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519024701/http://www.biotechpark.co.in/existing.html |archive-date=19 May 2012}}</ref> houses biotechnology companies and laboratories. The [[World Trade Center Chennai|World Trade Center complex]] is located at [[Perungudi]] on the southern side of the city.<ref name="Hindu_WTCInMarch2020">{{cite news |last=Kandavel |first=Sangeetha |title=WTC to open doors in March 2020 |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |page=6 |publisher=Kasturi & Sons |date=19 October 2019 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/wtc-to-open-doors-in-march-2020/article29739935.ece |access-date=20 October 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029061204/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/wtc-to-open-doors-in-march-2020/article29739935.ece |archive-date=29 October 2020}}</ref> According to [[Jones Lang LaSalle]], demand for investment-grade buildings in Chennai is high from IT companies. The average annual gross demand in Chennai is 4.5 million square feet.<ref name="Hindu_WTCInMarch2020"/>

[[File:WTC_UnderConst.jpg|thumb|[[World Trade Center Chennai|World Trade Center]] towers]]

A study conducted by the [[National Housing Bank]] on the residential price index of Indian cities showed that Chennai experienced the highest growth after the [[financial crisis of 2007–2008]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-07/chennai/31304556_1_residex-realty-prices-residential-price-index |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514105632/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-07/chennai/31304556_1_residex-realty-prices-residential-price-index |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 May 2013 |title=High-rise Market |date=7 April 2012 |access-date=28 December 2012 |last=Sivan |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |first=Jayaraj}}</ref> Medical tourism is an important part of Chennai's economy with 45 percent of total medical tourists to India making to Chennai.<ref>{{cite book |title=Medical Tourism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q1Un-gGsozMC&pg=PA71 |page=71 |last=Connell |first=John |isbn=978-1-84593-660-0 |year=2011}}</ref> The [[Tamil cinema|Tamil film]] industry<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Annual report 2011 |url=http://cbfcindia.gov.in/CbfcWeb/fckeditor/editor/images/Uploadedfiles/file/Publications/ANNUAL_2011.pdf |publisher=[[Central Board of Film Certification]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124081428/http://cbfcindia.gov.in/CbfcWeb/fckeditor/editor/images/Uploadedfiles/file/Publications/ANNUAL_2011.pdf |archive-date=24 January 2013}}</ref> and the Tamil television industry are also significant parts of Chennai's economy. The city also has a permanent exhibition complex in [[Nandambakkam]] called the [[Chennai Trade Centre]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Chennai Trade Centre{{snd}}A Profile |publisher=India Trade Promotion Organisation |url=http://www.indiatradefair.com/corp/channai.asp.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061021233344/http://www.indiatradefair.com/corp/channai.asp.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 October 2006 |access-date=28 December 2012 }}</ref> It hosted the [[Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet]] in 2019 which was a business summit organised by the Government of Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indianembassybrussels.gov.in/pdf/TN-GIM-Brochure-2019.pdf |title=TN GIM - Brochure New - 13 Nov - TN-GIM-Brochure-2019.pdf |access-date=9 March 2020}}</ref> With 385 ultra-rich living in the city as of 2013, Chennai is positioned in the sixth place among Indian cities that are home to the country's super-rich.<ref>{{cite news |last=Karthiyayini |title=Chennai comes sixth among India's super-rich cities |newspaper=TruthDive |location=Chennai |date=18 October 2013 |url=http://truthdive.com/2013/10/18/chennai-comes-sixth-among-indias-super-rich-cities.html |access-date=19 October 2013 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020061802/http://truthdive.com/2013/10/18/chennai-comes-sixth-among-indias-super-rich-cities.html |archive-date=20 October 2013}}</ref> The city is the third largest market in India for luxury cars.<ref>{{cite news |last=Aravind |first=Indulekha |title=Chennai swank |newspaper=Business Standard |location=Bangalore |date=26 October 2012 |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/chennai-swank-112102700056_1.html |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804035213/https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/chennai-swank-112102700056_1.html |archive-date=4 August 2020}}</ref>

===Banking and finance===
[[File:World Bank Office in Taramani, Chennai.jpg|thumb|right|World Bank Office in Chennai]]

The [[Reserve Bank of India]] ranked Chennai as third-largest deposit centre and third-largest credit centre nationwide as of June 2012.{{cn|date=March 2022}} Prior to the advent of modern commercial banks, the banking services in the city were offered to the public by ''Nattukottai Chettiars'' or ''Nagarathars'', chiefly in and around the neighbourhood of [[George Town, Chennai|George Town]], who offered loans as well as accepted money deposits from the public, in addition to offering loans to the agricultural labourers. Even today, many of the banking offices are housed in heritage structures belonging to the colonial era that are chiefly clustered around [[Rajaji Salai, Chennai|Rajaji Road]] in George Town.<ref name="TOI_BankingHeritageOfMadras">{{cite news |last=Suresh |first=S. |title=The Banking Heritage of Madras |newspaper=The Times of India |location=Chennai |date=3 November 2012 |url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2012/11/03&PageLabel=50&EntityId=Ar05001&ViewMode=HTML |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> Chennai is home to the first European-style banking system in India with the establishment of the 'Madras Bank' on 21 June 1683, almost a century before the establishment of the first commercial banks, such as the Bank of Hindustan and the General Bank of India, which were established in 1770 and 1786, respectively.<ref name="InsightIntoProgressOfBanking">{{cite news |last=Mukund |first=Kanakalatha |title=Insight into the progress of banking |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=3 April 2007 |url=http://www.hindu.com/br/2007/04/03/stories/2007040300301600.htm |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> Upon the recommendation of the British Finance Committee on the formation of a government bank, the Madras Bank, then known as the 'Government Bank', started functioning again from 1806. In 1843, the bank merged with the Carnatic Bank (1788), the British Bank of Madras (1795) and the Asiatic Bank (1804) and became the [[Bank of Madras]], which was one of the three Presidency banks of India, the other two being the [[Bank of Bengal]] and the [[Bank of Bombay]]. In 1921, the three Presidency banks merged to form the [[Imperial Bank of India]], which later became the [[State Bank of India]] in 1955.<ref name="200YearsAndGoingStrong">{{cite news |last=Kumar |first=Shiv |title=200 years and going strong |newspaper=The Tribune |date=26 June 2005 |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050626/spectrum/main1.htm |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804210248/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050626/spectrum/main1.htm |archive-date=4 August 2020}}</ref>

Chennai is the headquarters of the [[Indian Bank]], the [[Indian Overseas Bank]] and the erstwhile [[Bharat Overseas Bank]], which merged with the Indian Overseas Bank in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=IOB set to takeover Bharat Overseas Bank |newspaper=Rediff Business |publisher=Rediff.com |date=28 January 2006 |url=https://www.rediff.com/money/2006/jan/28iob.htm |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022215206/https://www.rediff.com/money/2006/jan/28iob.htm |archive-date=22 October 2020}}</ref> The city is home to the [[Reserve Bank of India, South Zonal Office|south zonal office]] of the [[Reserve Bank of India]], the country's central bank, along with its zonal training centre and Reserve Bank Staff College, one of the two colleges of the bank.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us, RBI |publisher=Reserve Bank of India |url=http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/AboutUsDisplay.aspx?pg=Offices.htm#colleges |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111101938/http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/AboutUsDisplay.aspx?pg=Offices.htm |archive-date=11 January 2013}}</ref> The city also houses the [[World Bank office, Chennai|permanent back office]] of the [[World Bank]], which is one of the largest buildings owned by the bank outside its headquarters in [[Washington, DC]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Radhakrishnan |first=R.K. |title=World Bank decides to locate back office in Chennai |location=Chennai |date=26 May 2009 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/26/stories/2009052660290800.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090530190136/http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/26/stories/2009052660290800.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 May 2009 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> The Chennai office handles corporate financial, accounting, administrative and IT services of the bank, in addition to several value-added operations of the bank that were earlier handled only in its Washington, DC office, including the bank's analytical work in bond valuation which is estimated to be US$100&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite news |title=World Bank may ramp up Chennai BPO operations |newspaper=Business Standard |location=Chennai |date=17 November 2003 |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/finance/world-bank-may-ramp-up-chennai-bpo-operations-103111701057_1.html |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804084546/https://www.business-standard.com/article/finance/world-bank-may-ramp-up-chennai-bpo-operations-103111701057_1.html |archive-date=4 August 2020}}</ref> Several foreign banks have established their branches in the city. The first Sri Lankan Bank in India was established when the Bank of Ceylon opened its branch in Madras on 31 October 1995.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us{{snd}}India, Chennai |publisher=Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission in Southern India |url=http://www.sldhcchennai.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=28 |access-date=6 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911104457/http://www.sldhcchennai.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=28 |archive-date=11 September 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
===Communication===
Chennai is one of four Indian cities connected to the rest of the world by [[Submarine communications cable|undersea fibre-optic cables]], the other three being [[Mumbai]], [[Kochi]], and [[Tuticorin]]. The city is the [[Cable landing point|landing point]] of major submarine telecommunication cable networks such as [[SEA-ME-WE 4|SMW<sub>4</sub>]] (connecting India with Western Europe, Middle East and Southeast Asia), [[i2i]] (connecting India with Singapore), [[TIISCS|TIC]] (connecting India with Singapore), [[Bay of Bengal Gateway|BBG]] (connecting India with the [[Sultanate of Oman]], [[Malaysia]], the [[UAE]], and [[Sri Lanka]]), [[Gulf Bridge International]], and [[BRICS (submarine cable)|BRICS]] (connecting India with Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa). The 3,175-km-long, 8-fiber-paired i2i has the world's largest design capacity of 8.4 terabits per second.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bharti, SingTel announce pact for submarine cable – Chennai-Mumbai-Singapore link to cost Rs $650m |newspaper=Business Line |location=New Delhi |date=25 October 2000 |url=http://www.hindu.com/businessline/2000/10/25/stories/14251803.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125163249/http://www.hindu.com/businessline/2000/10/25/stories/14251803.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 January 2013 |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=India's 1st undersea cable network ready |newspaper=The Economic Times |location=Singapore |date=8 April 2002 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6306817.cms |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817121213/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/6306817.cms |archive-date=17 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=VSNL completes Singapore's first Indian-owned undersea fiber-optic cable |publisher=Tata.com |date=3 November 2004 |url=http://www.tata.com/company/releases/inside.aspx?artid=KqkMdfB8TA0= |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928232230/http://tata.com/company/releases/inside.aspx?artid=KqkMdfB8TA0%3D |archive-date=28 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=BRICS Cable Unveiled for Direct and Cohesive Communications Services Between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa |work=BRICS Cable News |publisher=BRICS Cable |date=16 April 2012 |url=http://www.bricscable.com/products.html |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420075013/http://www.bricscable.com/products.html |archive-date=20 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Work to lay a 2,300-km undersea optical submarine cable connecting [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] to mainland India through Chennai, carrying 100 Gbit/s optical waves, is slated to begin in December 2019 and completed by March 2020. It will connect [[Port Blair]] and the islands of [[Havelock Island|Havelock]], [[Little Andaman]] ([[Hutbay]]), [[Car Nicobar]], [[Kamorta Island|Kamorta]], [[Great Nicobar]], [[Long Island, Andaman|Long Island]] and [[Rangat]] with Indian mainland.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rohit |first=T. K. |title=Work on undersea cable to connect Andamans to begin in December |work=The Hindu |date=11 September 2019 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/work-on-undersea-cable-to-connect-andamans-to-begin-in-december/article29386971.ece |access-date=20 October 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323212218/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/work-on-undersea-cable-to-connect-andamans-to-begin-in-december/article29386971.ece |archive-date=23 March 2021}}</ref>

{{As of|2013}}, eight mobile phone service companies operate seven [[GSM]] networks including Airtel, Aircel, BSNL, Vodafone, Tata Docomo GSM, Idea, Reliance GSM and three [[CDMA]] networks including MTS, Reliance CDMA, Tata Docomo CDMA in the city. 2G Mobile internet connections are provided by all the operators, and 3G and 4G mobile broadband are provided by few operators in the city. There are four land line companies<ref>{{cite press release |title=Information note to the Press (Press Release No.71/2007) |publisher=Telecom Regulatory Authority of India |date=24 August 2007 |url=http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/486/pr24aug07no71.pdf |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515114849/http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/486/pr24aug07no71.pdf |archive-date=15 May 2012}} Annexure lists these six entities as the licensed cellular operators for the Chennai circle. The [[CDMA]] Development Group's official website lists [[Tata Teleservices]] and [[Reliance Communications]] as the only operators to have deployed [[CDMA]] on cellular systems in India. {{cite web |title=CDMA Worldwide: Deployment search&nbsp;– Asia-Pacific |publisher=CDMA Development Group |url=http://www.cdg.org/worldwide/index.asp?h_area=1 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011073228/http://cdg.org/worldwide/index.asp?h_area=1 |archive-date=11 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Narayanan |first=R.Y. |title=Touchtel arrives in Coimbatore |work=The Hindu |date=5 September 2002 |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2002/09/05/stories/2002090502151700.htm |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927231926/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2002/09/05/stories/2002090502151700.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> providing commercial and domestic broadband Internet services. Chennai was the first Indian city to deploy [[Wi-Fi]] internet access in a widespread manner.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/chennai-is-now-wi-fi-enabled/articleshow/4656341.cms |title=Chennai is now wi-fi-enabled |work=The Times of India |access-date=28 December 2012 |date=15 June 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928014551/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennai-is-now-wi-fi-enabled/articleshow/4656341.cms |archive-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> {{As of|2010}}, there were 9.8&nbsp;million mobile phone users in Chennai.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Narayanan |first=Vivek |title=Chennai ranks third among metros in surfing internet on cellphones |newspaper=The Times of India |date=20 December 2010 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennai-ranks-third-among-metros-in-surfing-internet-on-cellphones/articleshow/7130287.cms |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022090437/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennai-ranks-third-among-metros-in-surfing-internet-on-cellphones/articleshow/7130287.cms |archive-date=22 October 2016}}</ref> In 2010, Chennai had the fourth highest number of active Internet users in India, with 2.2&nbsp;million users.<ref>{{Cite news |title=India's Internet users top 100&nbsp;m in Sept |newspaper=Business Line |date=7 November 2011 |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/indias-internet-users-top-100-m-in-sept/article20357930.ece1 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407183711/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/indias-internet-users-top-100-m-in-sept/article20357930.ece1 |archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref> As of 2018, the city topped in broadband speed among Indian cities, with a recorded download speed of 32.67 Mbit/s.<ref>{{Cite news |title=City tops in broadband speed |newspaper=The Hindu |date=14 March 2018 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/city-tops-in-broadband-speed/article23231075.ece |access-date=17 March 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730145812/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/city-tops-in-broadband-speed/article23231075.ece |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref>

===Power===
[[File:Kalpakkam 04710083 (8386517544).jpg|thumb|left|Madras Atomic Power Station]]
Major power plants in the city include [[North Chennai Thermal Power Station]], [[GMR Vasavi Diesel Power Plant]], [[Ennore Thermal Power Station]], [[Basin Bridge Gas Turbine Power Station]], [[Madras Atomic Power Station]] and [[Vallur Thermal Power Station|Vallur Thermal Power Project]]. According to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO), {{As of|2013|lc=y}}, the city consumes about 20 percent of the electricity in the state of Tamil Nadu. The peak evening demand of the city is 1,500 MW which is about 50 percent of the state's peak evening demand of 3,000 megawatt. This includes 37 percent consumption by the industrial sector, 30 percent by the domestic sector, 18 percent by the agricultural sector, and 11.5 percent by the commercial sector. The peak power consumption is for four months between May and August, with the city consuming the highest during June because it is when the summer peaks. On 20 June 2013, the city consumed the highest of 52,785 MU.<ref>{{cite news |last=Srikanth |first=R. |title=Chennai consumes 20% of the power of the State |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=22 April 2014 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chennai-consumes-20-of-the-power-of-the-state/article5934753.ece |access-date=24 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730145913/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chennai-consumes-20-of-the-power-of-the-state/article5934753.ece |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref>[[File:Vallur_Thermal_Power_Plant.JPG|thumb|[[Vallur Thermal Power Station]]]]{{As of|2014}}, the city consumes around 3.83 crore units of power a day or 1,400 crore units annually. Hourly consumption of power in the city is about 2,000 to 3,000 MW.<ref>{{cite news |title=Metro rail sets up units to power trains, stations to meet year-end deadline to start services |newspaper=The Times of India |location=Chennai |date=15 April 2014 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Chennai/Metro-rail-sets-up-units-to-power-trains-stations-to-meet-year-end-deadline-to-start-services/articleshow/33757188.cms |access-date=18 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221204401/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/metro-rail-sets-up-units-to-power-trains-stations-to-meet-year-end-deadline-to-start-services/articleshow/33757188.cms |archive-date=21 February 2021}}</ref> Availability of power in the city has become a concern in recent years due to increasing demand and slow-paced addition of power plants, due to which scheduled power cuts have become increasingly common. However, this situation was eradicated by the end of 2014.<ref>{{cite web |author=PTI |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-08/india/36992443_1_vallur-solar-power-thermal-power-projects |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429212912/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-08/india/36992443_1_vallur-solar-power-thermal-power-projects |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 April 2013 |work=[[The Times of India]] |title=No power cuts in Tamil Nadu from this year end, says Jaya |access-date=10 June 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Padmini Sivarajah, TNN 5 February 2013, 05.28AM IST |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Power-crisis-improving-in-southern-Tamil-Nadu/articleshow/18343496.cms |title=Power crisis improving in southern Tamil Nadu |work=The Times of India |date=5 February 2013 |access-date=10 June 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107201811/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Power-crisis-improving-in-southern-Tamil-Nadu/articleshow/18343496.cms |archive-date=7 January 2017}}</ref> {{As of|2016}}, the total electricity consumption by the street lamps in the city is 27&nbsp;MW, costing about {{INR}} {{formatnum:60000000}} per month.<ref name="CC_Electrical">{{cite web |title=Electrical{{snd}}Consumption and Cost|publisher=Corporation of Chennai |url=http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/departments/electrical/index.htm |access-date=21 November 2016 |archive-date=23 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123014730/http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/departments/electrical/index.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> The 426&nbsp;sq&nbsp;km of the city has over 248,000 streetlights, including 88,000 in the newly expanded areas.<ref>{{Cite news |title=LED lights on roads in added city areas soon |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=3 February 2013 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/led-lights-on-roads-in-added-city-areas-soon/article4373161.ece |access-date=3 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730164641/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/led-lights-on-roads-in-added-city-areas-soon/article4373161.ece |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref>

===Health care===
{{Main|Healthcare in Chennai}}
[[File:GH Chennai.JPG|thumb|left|Government General Hospital]]
Chennai is known for its advanced medical facilities, including both government-run and private hospitals. The government-aided hospitals include [[Government General Hospital, Chennai|General Hospital]], [[Adyar Cancer Institute]], [[Tambaram TB Sanatorium|TB Sanatorium]], and [[National Institute of Siddha]]. The National Institute of Siddha is one of the seven apex national-level educational institutions that promote excellence in Indian system of medicine and [[Ayurveda]].<ref>{{cite book |last=De |first=Barun Kumar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PLBwsuW26oMC&pg=PA39 |title=Public System Management |isbn=81-224-1767-1 |publisher=New Age International Publishers |location=New Delhi |year=2006 |page=39}}</ref> Major hospitals in Chennai include [[Apollo Hospitals]], [[Apollo Hospitals|Apollo Speciality Hospital]], [[SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre]], Chettinad Health City, [[Madras Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology|MIOT Hospitals]], [[Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute]], [[Fortis Malar Hospital]], Lifeline Hospitals, [[Vasan Healthcare]], Dr Mehta Hospitals, Global Hospitals & Health City, [[Sankara Nethralaya]] and Vijaya Medical & Educational Trust.<ref>{{cite web |last=National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers |title=NABH Accredited Hospitals |publisher=NABH |date=March 2012 |url=http://nabh.co/main/hospitals/accredited.asp |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723105839/http://nabh.co/main/hospitals/accredited.asp |archive-date=23 July 2012}}</ref> Chennai attracts about 45 percent of health tourists from abroad and 30 percent to 40 percent of domestic health tourists. The city has been termed ''India's health capital''.<ref name="CityGetsMostForeignTourists"/><ref name="Health capital">{{cite web |last=National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers |title=Chennai&nbsp;– India's Health Capital |publisher=India Health Visit |url=http://www.indiahealthvisit.com/chennai-health-capital.htm |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-date=18 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818222035/http://www.indiahealthvisit.com/chennai-health-capital.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Hamid2012">{{cite news |last=Hamid |first=Zubeda |title=The medical capital's place in history |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=20 August 2012 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-medical-capitals-place-in-history/article3796305.ece |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112031054/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-medical-capitals-place-in-history/article3796305.ece |archive-date=12 November 2020}}</ref>

The city has more than 12,500 beds in its hospitals,<ref name="CityToGet3000MoreBeds">{{cite news |title=Country's med capital to get 3,000 more beds |newspaper=The Times of India |location=Chennai |date=16 July 2011 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/countrys-med-capital-to-get-3000-more-beds/articleshow/9243427.cms |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407184019/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/countrys-med-capital-to-get-3000-more-beds/articleshow/9243427.cms |archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref> including about 5,000 in multi-specialty hospitals in the private sector and over 6,000 beds in the public sector.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kannan |first=Ramya |title=What the new hospital and college mean for Chennai |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=20 August 2011 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/what-the-new-hospital-and-college-mean-for-chennai/article2374703.ece |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804055816/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/what-the-new-hospital-and-college-mean-for-chennai/article2374703.ece |archive-date=4 August 2020}}</ref> This works to 2.1 beds per 1,000 population against the national average of less than one bed per 1,000 population and the [[World Health Organization]]'s norms of three beds per 1,000 persons, higher than any other city in the country.

===Waste management===
The city generates 4,500 tonnes of garbage every day of which 429 tonnes are plastic waste.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ramkumar |first=Pratiksha |title=Chennai stares at a plastic disaster |newspaper=The Times of India |location=Chennai |date=4 April 2013 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/chennai-stares-at-a-plastic-disaster/articleshow/19373649.cms |access-date=6 April 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928021708/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennai-stares-at-a-plastic-disaster/articleshow/19373649.cms |archive-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> The city has three dumpyards, one each at [[Perungudi]], [[Kodungaiyur]], and [[Pallikaranai]]. The corporation has planned to close these yards and create four new dumpyards at Malaipattu, [[Minjur]], [[Vallur]] and Kuthambakkam villages, ranging in size from  {{cvt|20|acres|0}} to  {{cvt|100|acres|0}}.<ref>{{cite news |title=City to finally be free of garbage dumps |newspaper=The Times of India |location=Chennai |date=30 October 2012 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/City-to-finally-be-free-of-garbage-dumps/articleshow/17012878.cms |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928023302/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/City-to-finally-be-free-of-garbage-dumps/articleshow/17012878.cms |archive-date=28 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Corpn plans to move dump yards; residents breathe easy |newspaper=The Times of India |location=Chennai |date=30 October 2012 |url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2012/10/30&PageLabel=5&EntityId=Ar00500&ViewMode=HTML |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> The civic body also spends {{INR}} 400 crore a year on solid-waste management.<ref>{{cite news |last=Philip |first=Christin Mathew |title=Don't dump waste on others: Experts |location=Chennai |date=3 November 2012 |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-03/chennai/34892706_1_door-to-door-garbage-collection-source-segregation-civic-body |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513230003/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-11-03/chennai/34892706_1_door-to-door-garbage-collection-source-segregation-civic-body |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 May 2013 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref>

==Tourism and hospitality==
{{Main|Tourism in Chennai}}
[[File:ITC-Grand-Chola-Chennai-2.JPG|thumb|[[ITC Grand Chola Hotel]], Chennai, is the largest hotel in South India.]]
With temples, beaches and centres of historical and cultural significance, including the [[UNESCO Heritage Site]] of [[Mahabalipuram]], Chennai is one of the most-visited cities in India. The city serves as the gateway to the [[South India|southern part of India]] with tourists landing in the city and then visiting the rest of the region. Chennai was the most-visited Indian city by foreign tourists in 2009 and issued the third-highest number of visas on arrival in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/chennai-high-city-gets-most-foreign-tourists/articleshow/6442393.cms |title=Chennai High: City gets most foreign tourists |newspaper=The Times of India |date=27 August 2010 |publisher=The Times of India (27 August 2010) |access-date=30 August 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122134913/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennai-High-City-gets-most-foreign-tourists/articleshow/6442393.cms |archive-date=22 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140924/nation-current-affairs/article/foreign-tourist-arrivals-rise |title=Foreign tourist arrivals increase |newspaper=Deccan Chronicle |date=24 September 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124211148/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140924/nation-current-affairs/article/foreign-tourist-arrivals-rise |archive-date=24 November 2020}}</ref> In 2011, Chennai was ranked the 41st most visited city, with 3,174,500 tourists, a 14-percent increase from 2010.<ref name="EuroMonitor_Top100CitiesDestination">{{cite web |title=Top 100 Cities Destination Ranking 2011 |publisher=Euromonitor International |date=21 January 2013 |url=http://blog.euromonitor.com/2013/01/top-100-cities-destination-ranking.html |access-date=24 January 2013}}</ref> About 830,620 domestic tourists arrived in Chennai in March 2011.<ref name="CityGetsMostForeignTourists">{{cite news |title=Chennai High: City gets most foreign tourists |work=The Times of India |location=Chennai |date=27 August 2010 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/chennai-high-city-gets-most-foreign-tourists/articleshow/6442393.cms |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122134913/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennai-High-City-gets-most-foreign-tourists/articleshow/6442393.cms |archive-date=22 November 2020}}</ref> Chennai's leading tourist countries-of-origin are Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, France and the United States. In 2015, the city received 4,243,700 foreign tourists, making it the third-most-visited city<!--As per the 2015 report of Euromonitor International, six Indian cities feature in the 100 most-visited destinations in the world by foreign tourists: Delhi at 28, Mumbai at 30, Chennai at 43, Agra at 45, Jaipur at 52 and Kolkata at 90 as mentioned by the source below--> in India after [[Delhi]] and [[Mumbai]] and 43rd-most visited city in the world by foreign tourists.<ref name="Che"/> {{As of|2012}}, the city had 21 [[List of hotels in Chennai|luxury hotels]] in the five-star category, with over 4,500 rooms in the inventory.<ref name="NewHotelsBeckon">{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Liffy |author2=Deepa H. Ramakrishnan |title=New hotels beckon the business class |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=1 June 2012 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/new-hotels-beckon-the-business-class/article3477386.ece |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803232147/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/new-hotels-beckon-the-business-class/article3477386.ece |archive-date=3 August 2020}}</ref> The collective luxury room inventory across four- and five-star categories as of 2018 is around 7,000.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chandramouli |first=Rajesh |title=Hotels full as Chennai turns into wedding destination |work=The Times of India |location=Chennai |date=27 April 2018 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/hotels-full-as-city-turns-into-wedding-destination/articleshow/63932181.cms |access-date=6 September 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428104119/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/hotels-full-as-city-turns-into-wedding-destination/articleshow/63932181.cms |archive-date=28 April 2018}}</ref> About 85 percent of the room demand in Chennai comes from business travellers.<ref name="ChennaiEmergesTop">{{cite news |last=Siva Prasanna Kumar |first=J. V. |title=Chennai emerges top among Indian cities in hotel room addition |work=Deccan Chronicle |location=Chennai |date=29 April 2019 |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/290419/chennai-emerges-top-among-indian-cities-in-hotel-room-addition.html |access-date=6 September 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124214024/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/290419/chennai-emerges-top-among-indian-cities-in-hotel-room-addition.html |archive-date=24 November 2020}}</ref>

===Entertainment===
[[File:அண்ணா நூற்றாண்டு நினைவு நூலகம் படம் 2.JPG|thumb|[[Anna Centenary Library]], one of the largest libraries in Asia|left]]
Chennai is the base for [[Tamil cinema]], sometimes nicknamed as ''Kollywood'', alluding to the neighbourhood of [[Kodambakkam]] where a number of film studios are located. Many film personalities have gone on to become politicians including [[C. N. Annadurai]], [[M. Karunanidhi]], [[M. G. Ramachandran]] and [[Jayalalithaa]].<ref>{{cite book |author1=Dan Ellens |author2=Lakshmi Srinivas |title=A Time for India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Nsyr3J1fpIC |year=2005 |publisher=Vantage Press |isbn=978-0-533-15092-2}}</ref> Chennai hosts major film studios, including [[AVM Productions]], the oldest surviving studio in India.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kamath |first=Sudhish |title=When studios dotted Vadapalani |location=Chennai |date=15 July 2009 |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/07/15/stories/2009071550030100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826183406/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2009/07/15/stories/2009071550030100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 August 2011 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> {{As of|2012}}, there are 120 cinema screens and multiplexes. Major multiplexes include [[SPI Cinemas|Sathyam Cinemas]], Escape cinemas, Devi and [[Mayajaal]].<ref>{{cite news |last=RamaKrishnan |first=Deepa H. |title=Cinema halls oppose service tax, stay shut |location=chennai |work=The Hindu |date=24 February 2012 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/cinema-halls-oppose-service-tax-stay-shut/article2925250.ece |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126060008/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/cinema-halls-oppose-service-tax-stay-shut/article2925250.ece |archive-date=26 January 2021}}</ref> Chennai's expansive theatre network stages many Tamil plays of many genres: political satire, slapstick comedy, history, mythology and drama.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ramesh |first=V |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/07/17/stories/2003071700060100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040728223100/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/07/17/stories/2003071700060100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 July 2004 |title=The Sultan of sarcasm |date=17 July 2003 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ashok Kumar |first=S.R. |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/11/stories/2006011115150700.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060114050053/http://www.hindu.com/2006/01/11/stories/2006011115150700.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 January 2006 |title=Actor R.S. Manohar dead |date=11 January 2006 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kumar |first=Ranee |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/12/10/stories/2003121000390100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031231060700/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/12/10/stories/2003121000390100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 December 2003 |title=Laughter, the best medicine |date=10 December 2003 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> English plays are popular in the city, along with the more common Tamil-language plays.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/supplement/story/20080616-all-for-a-laugh-736499-2008-06-04 |title=All for a laugh |work=[[India Today]] |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202103932/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/supplement/story/20080616-all-for-a-laugh-736499-2008-06-04 |archive-date=2 December 2020}}</ref>

{{-}}

===Recreation===
{{Main|Parks in Chennai}}
[[File:Chennai - bird's-eye view.ogv|thumb|Marina Beach]]
The zoo, beaches and wildlife parks form the primary recreation areas of the city. Chennai has a 19+&nbsp;km coastline with its corporation limits. The city boasts two popular beaches, the [[Marina Beach|Marina]] and the [[Elliot's Beach|Elliot's]]. [[Marina Beach|The Marina]] spans  {{cvt|13|km|mi}} between the deltas of Cooum and Adyar, and is the second-longest urban beach in the world.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZJfu5vbPbA0C&pg=PA81 |title=Observing our environment from space: new solutions for a new millennium |author=EARSeL |year=2002 |isbn=90-5809-254-2 |publisher=A. A. Balakema}}</ref> [[Elliot's Beach]] lies south of the Adyar delta. Covelong Beach lies along the Coromandal Coast.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chennai.org.uk/beaches/elliot-beach.html |title=Elliot's Beach |access-date=12 October 2015 |publisher=chennai.org |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227012841/http://www.chennai.org.uk/beaches/elliot-beach.html |archive-date=27 December 2019}}</ref> [[Madras Crocodile Bank Trust]] is a [[reptile]] [[zoo]] located  {{cvt|40|km}} south of the city covering an area of  {{cvt|8.5|acre}} and had over 450,000 visitors in 2007. The center has one of the world's largest collections of reptiles and has bred 14 of the 23 existing species of crocodiles and alligators.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/03/science/saving-the-crocodile-and-putting-on-a-spectacular-show.html |title=Saving the Crocodile and Putting on a Spectacular Show |work=The New York Times |access-date=30 August 2011 |first=Stephen |last=Kinzer |date=3 February 1998 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222204538/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/03/science/saving-the-crocodile-and-putting-on-a-spectacular-show.html |archive-date=22 February 2019}}</ref> The [[Arignar Anna Zoological Park]], one of the largest zoological parks in the world, annually attracts nearly 2&nbsp;million visitors.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=IBN Live |title=Wandering down Chennais wild side |date=3 June 2011 |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/wandering-down-chennais-wild-side/155808-60-120.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604191158/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/wandering-down-chennais-wild-side/155808-60-120.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 June 2011 |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> [[Guindy National Park]], a protected area of Tamil Nadu, has a children's park and a [[Chennai Snake Park Trust|snake park]], which gained statutory recognition as a medium zoo from the Central Zoo Authority of India in 1995. Chennai is one of the few cities in the world to accommodate a [[national park]], the [[Guindy National Park]], within its limits.<ref>{{cite web |title=Guindy National Park |publisher=[[Tamil Nadu Forest Department]] |url=http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/np_gnp.html |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928004229/http://www.forests.tn.nic.in/WildBiodiversity/np_gnp.html |archive-date=28 September 2012}}</ref> An estimated 4.5 percent of the city's area is under green cover<!--OLD STATISTICS. TO BE UPDATED FOR THE RECENT EXPANSION OF THE CITY.-->.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/massive-afforestation-drive-to-begin-in-chennai/articleshow/8200770.cms |title=Massive afforestation drive to begin in Chennai |work=The Times of India |date=9 May 2011 |access-date=28 December 2012 |last=Janardhanan |first=Arun |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407184722/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/massive-afforestation-drive-to-begin-in-chennai/articleshow/8200770.cms |archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref> This enables [[birding]]. The seven zones of the old corporation limits have about 260 parks, many of which suffer poor maintenance.<ref name="chennaiparks">{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/More-parks-but-Chennai-needs-green-thumb/articleshow/15626196.cms |title=More parks, but Chennai needs green thumb |work=The Times of India |date=24 August 2012 |access-date=28 December 2012 |last=Philip |first=Christin Mathew |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024033219/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/More-parks-but-Chennai-needs-green-thumb/articleshow/15626196.cms |archive-date=24 October 2016}}</ref> The city has a per capita park space of 0.41&nbsp;sq&nbsp;m, which is the least among all metros in India.<ref name="chennaiparks"/> The eight zones in the newly added areas of the city have about 265 locations that have been identified for development of new parks.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lopez |first=Aloysius Xavier |title=More green relief for Chennai soon |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=30 March 2012 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/more-green-relief-for-chennai-soon/article3259316.ece |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804030511/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/more-green-relief-for-chennai-soon/article3259316.ece |archive-date=4 August 2020}}</ref> The largest park is the 358-acre [[Tholkappia Poonga]], developed to restore the fragile ecosystem of the Adyar estuary.<ref>{{cite news |last=A. |first=Srivathsan |author2=J. Malarvizhi |title=Eco-park will cover entire 358-acre expanse of the Adyar Creek |location=Chennai |date=30 March 2007 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/30/stories/2007033009780100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423014037/http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/30/stories/2007033009780100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 April 2008 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> The horticulture department-owned [[Semmoli Poonga]] is a 20-acre downtown botanical garden.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sivan |first=Jayraj |title=Collector refutes MK's charge, says property on Cathedral Rd not govt's |newspaper=The Times of India |location=Chennai |date=11 October 2011 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/collector-refutes-mks-charge-says-property-on-cathedral-rd-not-govts/articleshow/10308598.cms |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928023337/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Collector-refutes-MKs-charge-says-property-on-Cathedral-Rd-not-govts/articleshow/10308598.cms |archive-date=28 September 2016}}</ref>

Chennai houses several theme parks, namely MGM Dizzee World and Queen's Land.<ref name="watereverywhere">{{cite news |title=Water, water, everywhere&nbsp;... |url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/leisure/article3412483.ece |first=Madhavan |last=T |date=12 May 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726154458/http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/leisure/article3412483.ece |archive-date=26 July 2012}}</ref><ref name="amusementparks">{{cite news |title=Amusement parks: a preferred destination |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/downtown/amusement-parks-a-preferred-destination/article3536508.ece |first=Madhavan |last=T |date=16 June 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803235358/https://www.thehindu.com/features/downtown/amusement-parks-a-preferred-destination/article3536508.ece |archive-date=3 August 2020}}</ref> However, several fatal accidents have occurred in the theme parks.<ref name="roughshod">{{cite news |title=Do amusement parks ride roughshod over safety? |url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/30/stories/2008013060331100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202215505/http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/30/stories/2008013060331100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 February 2008 |date=30 January 2008 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> [[Wonderla]] plans to open an amusement park in 2017.<ref name="amusementchennai">{{cite news |title=New Amusement park for chennai&nbsp;... |url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/wonderla-plans-amusement-park-in-tn/article7536192.ece |first=Pradeesh |last=Chandran |date=10 September 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai |access-date=13 September 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730140257/https://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/wonderla-plans-amusement-park-in-tn/article7536192.ece |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> Other important recreation centres include [[Madras Boat Club]], which is over 140 years old, and [[Gymkhana Club, Chennai|Gymkhana Club]], which is famous for its 18-hole golf courses. Built in 1867, Madras Boat Club is the second-oldest surviving Indian rowing club.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rowing Federation of India |publisher=Rowing federation |url=http://www.indiarowing.com/home.php |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121023906/http://indiarowing.com/home.php |archive-date=21 November 2012}}</ref>

===Shopping===
{{See also|Shopping in Chennai}}
Chennai is home to several malls, due to its status as an [[Information technology industry|IT]] hub.<ref name="nomalls">{{cite news |title=No market for malls? |url=http://www.hindu.com/pp/2004/12/04/stories/2004120400050100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050507150555/http://www.hindu.com/pp/2004/12/04/stories/2004120400050100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 May 2005 |date=4 December 2004 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref><ref name="moremalls">{{cite news |title=More malls to Chennai's skyline |url=http://www.hindu.com/rp/2011/04/03/stories/2011040350010100.htm |date=3 April 2011 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-date=21 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221082105/http://www.hindu.com/rp/2011/04/03/stories/2011040350010100.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="mallIThub">{{cite news |title=Mall activity picks up in Chennai IT hubs |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/Mall-activity-picks-up-in-Chennai-IT-hubs/article20216955.ece |first=Nina |last=Varghese |date=7 August 2006 |work=Business Line |location=Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804040615/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/todays-paper/tp-economy/Mall-activity-picks-up-in-Chennai-IT-hubs/article20216955.ece |archive-date=4 August 2020}}</ref> Major ones include [[Express Avenue|Express Avenue (EA)]], [[Chennai Citi Centre|Citi Centre]], [[Abhirami Mega Mall|Abirami mega mall]], [[Spencer Plaza]], [[Ampa Skywalk]], [[Phoenix Market City (Chennai)|Phoenix Market City]] and [[Forum Vijaya Mall]].<ref name="Phoenix Market City">{{cite news |title=Phoenix Market City in Chennai |url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/leisure/the-phoenix-rises/article4344437.ece |date=25 January 2013 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai |access-date=25 January 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730141808/https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/leisure/the-phoenix-rises/article4344437.ece |archive-date=30 July 2020}}</ref> Chennai is an important gold market in India contributing to 45 percent of the 800-tonne annual national gold uptake.<ref name="HinduBL_ShopTillYouDrop">{{cite news |last=Varghese |first=Nina |title=T.Nagar: Shop till you drop, and then shop some more |newspaper=Business Line |location=Chennai |date=29 August 2006 |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2006/08/29/stories/2006082903011900.htm |access-date=14 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926000130/http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2006/08/29/stories/2006082903011900.htm |archive-date=26 September 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The city is also the base to the World Gold Council's India operations. The city's retail industry is majorly concentrated in [[T. Nagar]] which accounts for major share jewellery and clothes sold in Chennai.<ref name="HinduBL_ShopTillYouDrop"/> According to the 2012 report by property consultant Cushman & Wakefield, ''Main Streets Across the World'', Khader Nawaz Khan Road at [[Nungambakkam]] ranked 10th position in the list of 'Top 10 Global Highest Retail Rental Growth Markets 2012', with 36.7 percent jump in rents.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mumbai records maximum growth in retail rent globally |newspaper=Samay Live |publisher=saharansamay.com |date=19 November 2012 |url=http://english.samaylive.com/business-news/676517901/business-mumbai-growth-in-retail-rent.html |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121126061555/http://english.samaylive.com/business-news/676517901/business-mumbai-growth-in-retail-rent.html |archive-date=26 November 2012}}</ref>

==Transport==
{{Main|Transport in Chennai}}

===Air===
[[File:Chennai airport view 4.jpeg|thumb|Chennai International Airport|240px]]
The [[Chennai International Airport]] is the fourth-busiest in India in terms of passenger traffic behind [[New Delhi]], [[Mumbai]] and [[Bengaluru]]. It handled about 15.2&nbsp;million passengers in 2013–2014;<ref name=southasia>{{Cite book |title=World and Its Peoples: Eastern and Southern Asia |author=Marshall Cavendish Corporation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5ZBaVhmRvCkC&pg=PA442 |page=442 |isbn=978-0-7614-7645-0 |year=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Traffic Statistics – Passengers |url=http://www.aai.aero/traffic_news/mar2k12annex3.pdf |work=Airports Authority of India |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518081740/http://www.aai.aero/traffic_news/mar2k12annex3.pdf |archive-date=18 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Traffic Statistics – Aircraft Movements |url=http://www.aai.aero/traffic_news/mar2k12annex2.pdf |work=Airports Authority of India |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617013457/http://www.aai.aero/traffic_news/mar2k12annex2.pdf |archive-date=17 June 2012}}</ref> in terms of international passengers, Chennai is the third-busiest airport behind [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]], Delhi, and [[Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport]], Mumbai.<ref>{{cite web |title=Annexure-IIIA Traffic Statistics – International Passengers |website=www.aai.aero |url=http://www.aai.aero/traffic_news/mar2k14annex3.pdf |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606212421/http://www.aai.aero/traffic_news/mar2k14annex3.pdf |archive-date=6 June 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Chennai handles 400 flights a day, again placing it fourth among Indian airports. The city is connected to major hubs across Asia, [[Europe]], [[Middle East]] and [[Africa]] through more than 30 national and international carriers.<ref name=hoax>{{Cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Hoax-bomb-threat-at-Chennai-airport/articleshow/8802788.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20111113180411/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Hoax-bomb-threat-at-Chennai-airport/articleshow/8802788.cms |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 November 2011 |title=Hoax bomb threat at Chennai airport |work=The Times of India |date=10 June 2011 |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref>

{{see also|Chennai greenfield airport, Parandur}}
The existing airport is undergoing modernisation and expansion with an addition of  {{cvt|1069.99|acres|2}}, while a new greenfield airport is to be constructed at an estimated cost of {{INR}} 2,000 crore in [[Sriperumbudur]] on  {{cvt|4200|acre|km2}} of land.<ref name=New_Airport>{{cite news |title=New greenfield airport to be set up near Chennai |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200705221441.htm |date=22 May 2007 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026105518/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200705221441.htm |archive-date=26 October 2012}}</ref> The new airport is said to be likely to handle cargo spillover traffic from the existing one.<ref name="aerodreams">{{cite news |title=Chennai's aero dreams take wing |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennais-aero-dreams-take-wing/articleshow/12974999.cms |date=3 May 2012 |author1=Arun Janardhanan |author2=V Ayyappan |work=[[The Times of India]] |location=Chennai |access-date=25 November 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928021647/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennais-aero-dreams-take-wing/articleshow/12974999.cms |archive-date=28 September 2016}}</ref>

===Rail===
[[File:Chennai central railway junction - panoramio.jpg|thumb|[[Chennai Central Railway Station|Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station, Chennai]]|240px]] 
Chennai hosts the [[Southern Railway headquarters, Chennai|headquarters]] of the [[Southern Railway (India)|Southern Railway]]. The city has four main railway terminals. [[Chennai Central]], [[Chennai Egmore]], [[Chennai Beach]] and [[Tambaram]]. Chennai Central station, the city's largest, provides nationwide access,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Central-station-to-shut-down-on-December-13/articleshow/5290066.cms |title=Central station to shut down on December 13 |work=The Times of India |access-date=28 December 2012 |date=2 December 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928014443/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Central-station-to-shut-down-on-December-13/articleshow/5290066.cms |archive-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> whereas Chennai Egmore provides access to destinations primarily within Tamil Nadu; however, it also handles a few inter–state trains. A fifth terminal has been proposed to decongest Chennai Central.<ref name="egmore-trains">{{cite news |title=35 trains to run at higher speed |date=27 August 2004 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/08/28/stories/2004082807870500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040917184630/http://www.hindu.com/2004/08/28/stories/2004082807870500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 September 2004 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> The [[Chennai suburban railway]] network, one of the oldest in the country, facilitates transportation within the city. It consists of four {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} [[broad gauge]] sectors terminating at two locations in the city, namely Chennai Central and [[Chennai Beach]]. While three sectors are operated on-grade, the fourth sector is primarily an [[Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System|elevated corridor]], linking Chennai Beach to [[Velachery]] and is connected with the rest of the rail network.

=== Metro ===
{{Main|Chennai Metro}}
[[File:Chennai Metro Rail at Koyambedu.JPG|thumb|Chennai Metro|242x242px]]
[[Chennai Metro]] is a rapid-transit system serving the city and was partially commenced on 29 June 2015. To improve the city's public transportation system and prepare the city for the future commuting needs, the Chennai Metro was planned and approved by the state cabinet during 2007 for which construction began on 2009.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2015/nov/26/3-Corridors-in-Chennai-Metro-Rail-May-be-Extended-by-35-Km-848343.html |title=3 Corridors in Chennai Metro Rail May be Extended by 35&nbsp;km |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=14 March 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407185144/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2015/nov/26/3-Corridors-in-Chennai-Metro-Rail-May-be-Extended-by-35-Km-848343.html |archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref> Phase I of the Chennai Metro network consists of the Blue Line and the Green Line covering a length of 45.1 kilometres (28.0&nbsp;mi) consisting of 40 [[List of Chennai metro stations|stations]] with [[Alandur metro station|Alandur]] and [[Chennai Central metro station|Chennai Central]] serving as interchanges. 55% of the corridors in Phase I are underground and the rest are elevated. The first stretch of Phase I, covering seven stations from [[Koyambedu]] to [[Alandur]] over a distance of  {{cvt|10|km|mi}}, began operation on 29 June 2015. As of March 2023, the entire Phase 1 stretching from [[Chennai Central railway station|Chennai Central]] to [[Alandur]] on the [[Green Line (Chennai Metro)|Green line]] and [[Wimco Nagar]] to [[Chennai International Airport]] on [[Blue Line (Chennai Metro)|Blue line]] are operational, bringing the total operational network over 45&nbsp;km. With this, the entirety of Phase I is operational. In December 2016, the  [[Chennai Metro Rail Limited]] (CMRL) announced the Phase-2 of Chennai Metro for a length of 104&nbsp;km consisting of 104 stations, subject to approval from the State and Central governments. The Phase 2 was subsequently approved in late 2018, with certain provisos, and [[soil test]]ing for various stations, which are now under construction since 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/104-km-104-stations-Unveiling-Phase-II-of-Metro/article14549167.ece |title=104 km, 104 stations: Unveiling Phase II of Metro |last=Sekar |first=Sunitha |work=The Hindu |access-date=14 March 2017 |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108125603/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/104-km-104-stations-Unveiling-Phase-II-of-Metro/article14549167.ece |archive-date=8 November 2020}}</ref> As of April 2019, ridership has risen considerably to around 100,000 daily commuters, post the inaugural of the entire Phase I.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/chennai-metro-ridership-reaches-peak-in-april/article27134898.ece |title=Chennai Metro ridership reaches peak in April |work=The Hindu Businessline |access-date=15 May 2019 |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926090542/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/chennai-metro-ridership-reaches-peak-in-april/article27134898.ece |archive-date=26 September 2020}}</ref> Phase I-A, which is an extension of the [[Blue Line (Chennai Metro)|Blue line]] from Washermanpet to Thiruvottiyur was inaugurated in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/9-km-north-chennai-metro-line-may-open-by-june-2020/articleshow/69807170.cms |title=9-km north Chennai metro line may open by June 2020 |work=The Times of India |access-date=15 June 2019 |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210083331/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/9-km-north-chennai-metro-line-may-open-by-june-2020/articleshow/69807170.cms |archive-date=10 December 2020}}</ref>

===Road===
[[File:Chennai Kathipara bridge.jpg|thumb|[[Cloverleaf interchange]] of the [[Chennai Outer Ring Road]] at [[Kathipara Junction]]|240px]]
As of 2019, the city corporation maintains about 471 bus route roads and 33,0000 interior roads.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lopez |first=Aloysius Xavier |title=Several arterial stretches in Chennai are prone to accidents |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=6 May 2019 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/several-arterial-stretches-in-city-prone-to-accidents/article27042085.ece |access-date=12 May 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128031824/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/several-arterial-stretches-in-city-prone-to-accidents/article27042085.ece |archive-date=28 November 2020}}</ref> The Chennai–Mumbai and Chennai–Kolkata prongs of the [[Golden Quadrilateral]] system of [[National Highway (India)|National Highways]] start from the city.<ref name="highwayhitch">{{cite news |title=Hitches on the highways |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hitches-on-the-highways/article3290083.ece |first=Sandeep |last=Joshi |date=7 April 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803235352/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/hitches-on-the-highways/article3290083.ece |archive-date=3 August 2020}}</ref> In addition, four major [[National Highway (India)|National Highways]] (NH), namely, [[National Highway 4 (India, old numbering)|NH&nbsp;4]] to [[Mumbai]] (via [[Bangalore]] and [[Pune]]), [[National Highway 5 (India)|NH&nbsp;5]] to [[Kolkata]] (linked via [[National Highway 6 (India)|NH&nbsp;6]]) (via [[Visakhapatnam]] and [[Bhubaneswar]]), [[National Highway 45 (India)|NH&nbsp;45]] to [[Theni]] (via [[Villupuram]], [[Tiruchirapalli]] and [[Dindigul]]) and [[National Highway 205 (India)|NH&nbsp;205]] to [[Madanapalle]] (via [[Tirupati (city)|Tirupati]]) originate in the city, connecting it to other Indian cities. Chennai is connected to other parts of the state and the Union Territory of [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]] by [[State Highway (India)|state highways]].<ref name="transport">{{cite web |title=GIS database for Chennai city roads and strategies for improvement |url=http://www.gisdevelopment.net/application/utility/transport/utilitytr0001.htm |work=Geospatial World |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717045706/http://www.gisdevelopment.net/application/Utility/transport/utilitytr0001.htm |archive-date=17 July 2012}}</ref>

The government has constructed [[grade separator]]s and [[Overpass|flyovers]] at major intersections, and built [[Inner Ring Road, Chennai|Inner Ring Road]] and [[Outer Ring Road, Chennai|Outer Ring Road]].<ref name="thehindu21102010"/><ref name="thehindu29092007">{{cite news |title=Bridge across time Skyline |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2007092950161200.htm&date=2007/09/29/&prd=pp& |work=The Hindu |last=Srivathsan |first=A |date=29 September 2007 |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-date=4 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004132453/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=2007092950161200.htm&date=2007%2F09%2F29%2F&prd=pp& |url-status=dead}}</ref><!--DETAIL NOT GIVEN IN REF--> The [[Anna Flyover|Gemini flyover]], built in 1973, crosses over the arterial road, and eases the traffic movements towards [[Anna Salai]] and towards the [[Kathipara Junction|Kathipara Flyover]].<ref name="thehindu21102010"/><ref name="thehindu29092007"/> {{As of|2011}}, according to the Transport Department, there were 25.8&nbsp;lakh two–wheelers and 5.6&nbsp;lakh four–wheelers in the city, and the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus fleet were 3,421, equaling 0.1% of all vehicles in the city.<ref name="TOI20052011">{{cite news |title=Great demand for better public transport |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/great-demand-for-better-public-transport/articleshow/8450330.cms |work=The Times of India |date=20 May 2011 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001165927/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Great-demand-for-better-public-transport/articleshow/8450330.cms |archive-date=1 October 2016}}</ref>

====Bus transport====
[[File:Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus.jpg|thumb|Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus|240px]]
When opened, the [[Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus]] (CMBT) was the largest bus station in Asia.<ref name="OI_Turns375"/><ref name="cmbtiso">{{cite news |title=Koyambedu bus terminus gets ISO certification |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/28/stories/2005122816740400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060705012703/http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/28/stories/2005122816740400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 July 2006 |first=Dorairaj |last=S |date=28 December 2005 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> It is the main intercity bus station of Chennai,<ref name="TOI22052011">{{cite news |title=Clogged way to filthy Koyambedu bus terminus |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/clogged-way-to-filthy-koyambedu-bus-terminus/articleshow/8497045.cms |work=The Times of India |date=22 May 2011 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928023321/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Clogged-way-to-filthy-Koyambedu-bus-terminus/articleshow/8497045.cms |archive-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> administered by [[Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation|seven government-owned transport corporations]], which operate intercity and interstate bus services. There are many private bus companies. The [[Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai)|MTC]] provides an exclusive intracity bus service, consisting of 3,421 buses on 724 routes, which provides transportation to 55.2&nbsp;lakh passengers daily.<ref name="thehindu21102010">{{cite news |title=MTC website to help keep track of buses |url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/21/stories/2010102161030300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101024073240/http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/21/stories/2010102161030300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 October 2010 |date=21 October 2010 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref><ref name="nonewroutes">{{cite news |title=More buses coming but no new routes |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-08/chennai/30603980_1_new-routes-mtc-new-buses |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429212726/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-08/chennai/30603980_1_new-routes-mtc-new-buses |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 April 2013 |date=8 January 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> The [[Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation]] operates [[Volvo]] air-conditioned services from Chennai to nearby [[Pondicherry (city)|Pondicherry]], [[Vellore]], [[Hosur]] and [[Trichy]].<ref name="boonkancheetnstc">{{cite news |title=A boon to Kancheepuram unit of TNSTC |url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/19/stories/2010021950820200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100224011329/http://www.hindu.com/2010/02/19/stories/2010021950820200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 February 2010 |first=Venkatasubramanian |last=V |date=19 February 2010 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Kancheepuram |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref>

====Other modes====
The other means of road transport in the city include vans, regionally known as ''Maxi Cabs'', [[auto rickshaw]]s, on-call metered taxis and tourist taxis.<ref name="taxilaw">{{cite news |title=Airport taxis, a law unto themselves |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/airport-taxis-a-law-unto-themselves/article3871479.ece |date=8 September 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804024917/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/airport-taxis-a-law-unto-themselves/article3871479.ece |archive-date=4 August 2020}}</ref>

The Chennai ORR is 62.3&nbsp;km long connecting NH 45 (GST Road) at Perungalathur, NH 4 (GWT Road) at Nazarathpet, NH 205 (CTH Road) at Nemilicherry (Thiruninravur), NH 5 (GNT Road) at Nallur and TPP road at Minjur under the process by [[Chennai Metropolitan Area]].

Chennai has currently one [[Expressways of India|expressway]]–the [[Chennai Outer Ring Road]]. In the coming years, the city will get more expressways, which will connect other cities of India, resulting in better connectivity and commute with the rest of the country. They are as follows:

*[[Chennai Port–Maduravoyal Expressway]]: Under construction since 2013,<ref name="auto1">{{cite news 
  | last = Ramakrishnan 
  | first = Deepa H. 
  | author2 = N. Anand 
  | title = PM's adviser to meet CM for talks on pending projects 
  | newspaper = The Hindu 
  | location = Chennai 
  | date = 7 November 2012 
  | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/pms-adviser-to-meet-cm-for-talks-on-pending-projects/article4071593.ece
  | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130204031722/http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/pms-adviser-to-meet-cm-for-talks-on-pending-projects/article4071593.ece
  | url-status = live
  | archive-date = 4 February 2013
  | access-date = 7 Nov 2012 
  }}</ref> to be completed by December 2024.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chennai Port to Maduravoyal corridor project in TN to be completed by Dec 2024, says Union Minister Nitin Gadkari|url=https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=Chennai-Port-to-Maduravoyal-corridor-project-in-TN-to-be-completed-by-Dec-2024%2c-says-Union-Minister-Nitin-Gadkari&id=448755|work=[[All India Radio|News On AIR]]|date=3 October 2022|access-date=13 March 2023|language=en}}</ref>
*[[Bangalore–Chennai Expressway]]: Under construction since August 2019,<ref>{{cite news|author1=Shivakumar, C.|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2020/feb/02/chennai-bangalore-expressway-work-to-start-in-six-months-nirmala-sitharaman-2097828.html|title = Chennai-Bangalore Expressway work to start in six months: Nirmala Sitharaman|work=The New Indian Express|date=2 February 2020|access-date=16 March 2023|language=en}}</ref> to be completed by March 2024.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Shivakumar, C.|title=Chennai-Bengaluru expressway: 14km road work complete|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2023/jan/26/chennai-bengaluru-expressway-14km-road-work-complete-2541479.amp|work=The New Indian Express|date=26 January 2023|access-date=26 January 2023|language=en}}</ref>
*Chennai–[[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]] Expressway: Proposed, to be completed by December 2025.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Patil, Anuja|title=Chennai Salem Expressway: Route Map, Land Acquisition, Latest News and Status|url=https://www.magicbricks.com/blog/chennai-salem-expressway/131019.html|work=[[MagicBricks]]|date=7 February 2023|access-date=16 March 2023|language=en}}</ref>
*[[Surat–Chennai Expressway]]: Proposed, to be completed by December 2026.<ref>{{cite web|title=Surat – Chennai Expressway – Information & Status|url=https://themetrorailguy.com/nhai-surat-chennai-expressway-route-map-status-update-tenders/|work=The Metro Rail Guy|access-date=12 March 2023}}</ref>
===Sea===
[[File:Port of Chennai, India - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Chennai Port|240px]]
The city is served by two major ports, [[Chennai Port]], one of the largest [[artificial ports]] in India, and [[Ennore Port]]. Chennai Port is the largest in the Bay of Bengal, with an annual cargo tonnage of 61.46&nbsp;million (2010–2011), and the second-largest container-hub in India, with an annual container volume of 1.523&nbsp;million TEUs (2010–2011). The port handles transportation of automobiles, motorcycles and general industrial cargo.<ref name=southasia/> The Ennore Port with an annual cargo tonnage of 11.01&nbsp;million (2010–2011), handles coal, ore and other bulk and rock mineral products.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ennoreport.gov.in/traffic.htm |work=Government of Tamil Nadu |publisher=Ennoreport.gov.in |title=Traffic handled |date=7 September 2011 |access-date  = 28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727212512/http://ennoreport.gov.in/traffic.htm |archive-date=27 July 2013}}</ref> [[Royapuram fishing harbour]] is used by fishing boats and [[Kattupalli Shipyard]] near [[Ennore Port]] was inaugurated in January 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jayalalithaa inaugurates Kattupalli port |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=31 December 2013 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/jayalalithaa-inaugurates-kattupalli-port/article4363516.ece |access-date=31 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127214725/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/jayalalithaa-inaugurates-kattupalli-port/article4363516.ece |archive-date=27 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://tidco.tn.gov.in/pressrelease/whats_new.pdf |title=Shipyard Cum Captive Port Complex in the Kattupalli Village |publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604140228/http://tidco.tn.gov.in/pressrelease/whats_new.pdf |archive-date=4 June 2012}}</ref>

==Media==
{{Main|Media in Chennai|List of Newspapers in Chennai}}
{{See also|List of Tamil-language television channels|Broadcasting in Chennai}}
Newspaper publishing started in Chennai with the launch of a weekly, ''The Madras Courier'', in 1785.<ref name=media_history>{{cite web |url=http://chennai.nic.in/chndistprof.htm#evt |publisher=Govt. of Tamil Nadu |title=Historical Events at a Glance |work=District Profile |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730180830/http://chennai.nic.in/chndistprof.htm#evt |archive-date=30 July 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was followed by the weeklies ''The Madras Gazette'' and ''The Government Gazette'' in 1795. ''The Spectator'', founded in 1836, was the first English newspaper in Chennai to be owned by an Indian and became the city's first daily newspaper in 1853.<ref>{{cite news |last=Muthiah |first=S |url=http://thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/02/03/stories/2003020300160300.htm |date=3 February 2003 |title=A landmark's last vestiges vanish |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527125255/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/02/03/stories/2003020300160300.htm |work=[[The Hindu]] |archive-date=27 May 2006}}</ref> The first Tamil newspaper, ''Swadesamitran'', was launched in 1899.<ref name=media_history/> First Telugu journal printed from Madras was ''Satya Doota'' in 1835 and ''Andhra Patrika'' found in 1908 was the most successful Telugu newspaper from Madras.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GPdHAAAAMAAJ&q=doota |title=Studies in the history of Telugu journalism: presented to V. R. Narla on the occasion of his shashtyabdapurti |last1=Veṅkaṭēśvararāvu |first1=Nārla |last2=Committee |first2=Narla Shashtyabdapurti Celebration |date=1968 |publisher=Narla Shashtyabdapurti Celebration Committee; [distributors: Andhra Pradesh Book Distributors, Secunderabad |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r8UkDQAAQBAJ&q=andhra+patrika+madras |title=Classical Telugu Poetry: An Anthology |last1=N_r_ya_ar_vu |first1=V_lc_ru |last2=Rao |first2=Velcheru Narayana |last3=Shulman |first3=David |date=2002 |publisher=Univ of California Press |isbn=9780520225985 |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:SUN network office.JPG|thumb|left|Headquarters of [[Sun Network]], India's largest private TV broadcaster]]
The major English dailies published in Chennai are ''[[The Hindu]]'', ''[[The New Indian Express]]'', ''[[The Deccan Chronicle]]'' and ''[[The Times of India]]'' and many more. The evening dailies are, ''The Trinity Mirror'' and ''[[News Today]]''. {{As of|2004}}, ''The Hindu'' was the city's most read English newspaper, with a daily circulation of 267,349.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shankaran |first=Sanjiv |url=https://www.rediff.com/money/2005/may/04spec3.htm |work=rediff.com |title=How Deccan Chronicle stormed Chennai |date=4 May 2005 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207090431/https://www.rediff.com/money/2005/may/04spec3.htm |archive-date=7 February 2021}}</ref> The major business dailies published from the city are ''[[The Economic Times]]'', ''[[The Hindu Business Line]]'', ''[[Business Standard]]'', ''[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]'' and ''[[The Financial Express (India)|The Financial Express]]''. The major Tamil dailies include the ''[[Dina Thanthi]]'', ''[[Dinakaran]]'', ''[[Dina Mani]]'', ''[[Dina Malar]]'', ''[[The Hindu (Tamil)|The Hindu Tamil]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tamil.thehindu.com/ |date=7 October 2013 |work=The Hindu |title=Hindu Tamil Magazine |access-date=7 October 2013}}</ref> ''[[Tamil Murasu]]'', ''[[Makkal Kural]]'' and ''[[Malai Malar]]''. ''[[Malayala Manorama]]'' and ''[[Mathrubhumi]]'' are the major Malayalam dailies while major Telugu dailies include ''[[Eenadu]]'', ''Vaartha'', ''[[Andhra Jyothi]]'' and ''Sakshi''.<ref name="newspapers-list">{{cite web |url=http://rni.nic.in/reception_main1.asp |title=Publication Place Wise-Registration |publisher=Registrar of Newspapers for India |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060712112136/http://www.rni.nic.in/reception_main1.asp |archive-date=12 July 2006}} If one types in ''Chennai'' in the input box and submits, the list is displayed.</ref> The one and only Hindi Newspaper published from Chennai is the ''[[Rajasthan Patrika]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rajasthan Patrika to launch Chennai edition |url=http://archive.deccanherald.com/Deccanherald/jan302004/n14.asp |newspaper=Deccan Herald |access-date=14 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028105910/http://archive.deccanherald.com/Deccanherald/jan302004/n14.asp |archive-date=28 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Local weekly Newspapers circulated to residents are T. Nagar Times, Pillar Times, Arcot Road Talk, Chrompet Times.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.localnewspaper.in |title=Chennai News |last=newspaper |first=local |website=www.localnewspaper.in |access-date=27 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722160959/http://localnewspaper.in/ |archive-date=22 July 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Chennai's First Corporate Leisure Newspaper, ''The Shopping Express''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://theshoppingexpress.in/epaper/issue1/ |date=9 March 2012 |work=The ShoppingExpress |title=Chennai's First Corporate Leisure Newspaper |access-date=9 March 2012 |archive-date=20 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520042203/http://www.theshoppingexpress.in/epaper/issue1 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Magazines published from Chennai include ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'', ''[[Kumudam]]'', ''[[Kalki (Tamil magazine)|Kalki]]'', ''[[Kungumam (magazine)|Kungumam]]'', ''[[Puthiya Thalaimurai]]'', ''[[Thuglak]]'', ''[[Frontline magazine|Frontline]]'' and ''[[Sportstar]]''

[[Doordarshan]] runs two terrestrial television channels and two satellite television channels from its Chennai centre, which was set up in 1974. Private Tamil satellite television networks such as [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]], [[Raj Network|Raj TV]], [[Zee Tamizh]], [[Star Vijay]], [[Jaya TV]], [[Makkal TV]], Vasanth TV, [[Kalaignar TV]], [[Captain TV]] and [[PuthiyaThalaimurai TV]] broadcast out of Chennai. The [[Sun Network]] one of India's largest broadcasting companies is based in the city. While the cable TV service is entirely controlled by the state government,<ref>{{cite news |title=Arasu Cable to launch operations from September 2 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2411833.ece |access-date=28 December 2012 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=30 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721012917/http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2411833.ece |archive-date=21 July 2012}}</ref> direct–to–home ([[Direct broadcast satellite|DTH]]) is available via [[DD Direct Plus]], [[Dish TV]], [[Tata Sky]], Videocon DTH, [[Sun direct DTH]], Reliance Big TV and [[Digital TV]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/13/stories/2006061317950300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060617010958/http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/13/stories/2006061317950300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 June 2006 |title=Dish TV launches 'One Alliance' bouquet |date=13 June 2006 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/04/stories/2007030404630200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070306073657/http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/04/stories/2007030404630200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 March 2007 |title=DTH companies come up with offers for World Cup |date=4 March 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> Chennai is the first city in India to have implemented the [[Conditional Access System]] for cable television.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2003/12/06/stories/2003120604511200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031231130030/http://www.hindu.com/2003/12/06/stories/2003120604511200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 December 2003 |access-date=28 December 2012 |date=6 December 2003 |work=[[The Hindu]] |title=Conditional Access System in South Delhi from December 15}}</ref> Radio broadcasting began in 1924 by the Madras Presidency Radio Club.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Muthiah |first=S. |title=AIR Chennai's 80-year journey |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |publisher=Kasturi & Sons |date=21 May 2018 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/air-chennais-80-year-journey/article23947443.ece |access-date=28 July 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109035611/https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/air-chennais-80-year-journey/article23947443.ece |archive-date=9 November 2020}}</ref> The radio station at the Rippon Buildings complex was founded in 1930 and was then shifted to [[All India Radio]] in 1938.<ref name=media_history/> The city has four [[amplitude modulation|AM]] and 11 [[frequency modulation|FM]] radio stations operated by [[All India Radio]], [[Anna University]] and [[Suryan FM]], [[Radio Mirchi]], [[BIG FM 92.7|BIG FM]], [[Hello FM]], [[Radio City (Indian radio station)|Radio City]], [[Radio One (India)|Radio One]] among others.<ref>{{cite book | editor-last=Gilbert | editor-first=Sean |title=[[World Radio TV Handbook|World Radio TV Handbook 2007: The Directory of International Broadcasting]] |publisher=WRTH Publications Ltd. |year=2006 |place=London |pages=237–242 |isbn=0-8230-5997-9}}</ref>

==Education==
{{Main|Education in Chennai}}
{{See also|Schools in Chennai|Education in India}}
[[File:Inside madras law college old building, Sep 2013.jpg|left|thumb|[[Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai]]]]
[[File:IITMmensa.jpg|thumb|[[IIT Madras|Indian Institute of Technology Madras]] is a premier engineering institute in India.]]
[[File:Anna university Chennai.jpg|left|thumb|[[College of Engineering, Guindy]] is the oldest engineering college in India established in 1794.]]
[[File:Senate House (University of Madras).jpg|thumb|[[University of Madras]], Senate House]]
Chennai is home to some of the best educational institutions in the country.<ref>{{cite news |title=City home to some of the best educational institutions in India |newspaper=The Hindu |location=Chennai |date=9 April 2019 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/city-home-to-some-of-the-best-educational-institutions-in-india/article26775302.ece |access-date=2 May 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727210916/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/city-home-to-some-of-the-best-educational-institutions-in-india/article26775302.ece |archive-date=27 July 2020}}</ref> The city ranks second among Indian metropolitan city centres with a 90.33 percent literacy rate.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://in.finance.yahoo.com/photos/metro-cities-with-the-highest-literacy-rates-1350986528-slideshow/metro-cities-with-the-highest-literacy-rates-photo-1350986351.html |title=Indian metro cities with the highest literacy rates &#124; Photo Gallery – Yahoo! India Finance |publisher=In.finance.yahoo.com |date=23 October 2012 |access-date=6 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129132031/https://in.finance.yahoo.com/photos/metro-cities-with-the-highest-literacy-rates-1350986528-slideshow/metro-cities-with-the-highest-literacy-rates-photo-1350986351.html |archive-date=29 November 2020}}</ref> Chennai has a mix of public and private schools, some of which also receive financial support from the government.

The public school system is managed by the Chennai Corporation with an enrollment of 142,387 students in over [[List of schools in Chennai|330 schools]].<ref name=CC1/> Tamil and English are the primary medium of instruction, though some schools also use Telugu and Urdu as medium of instruction in their schools.<ref name="CC1">{{cite web |url=http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/departments/education/history.htm |title=History of the Education Department |publisher=[[Corporation of Chennai]] |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121215070057/http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/departments/education/history.htm |archive-date=15 December 2012}}</ref> Public schools run by the Chennai Corporation are all affiliated with the [[Tamil Nadu Board of Secondary Education|Tamil Nadu State Board]], while private schools may be affiliated with either of the Tamil Nadu Board of Secondary Education or the [[Central Board of Secondary Education]] (CBSE).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/edu/2006/11/20/stories/2006112000410100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013193537/http://hindu.com/edu/2006/11/20/stories/2006112000410100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 October 2007 |title=Balancing uniformity and diversity |date=20 November 2006 |author1=Ramachandran, K. |author2=Srinivasan, Meera |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> A few schools are affiliated with the [[Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations]],<ref name="icsecentpercent">{{cite news |title=Indian Certificate of Secondary Education schools achieve 100% pass percentage |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-21/news/31799999_1_x-indian-certificate-icse-board-hari-shree-vidyalayam |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429224528/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-21/news/31799999_1_x-indian-certificate-icse-board-hari-shree-vidyalayam |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 April 2013 |date=21 May 2012 |work=[[The Times of India]] |location=Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012}}<!-- I've added this ref because it mentions ICSE/ISC in Chennai, feel free to reword the statement around it.--></ref> the [[National Institute of Open Schooling]] (NIOS) board or the [[Montessori|Montessori system]]. Education in Chennai starts with two years of Kindergarten from age three onward and then follows the Indian [[Education in India|10+2+3 plan]], ten years of school, two years of higher secondary education, and three years of undergraduate education.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tn.gov.in/schooleducation/structure.htm |title=Educational structure |publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704025650/http://www.tn.gov.in/schooleducation/structure.htm |archive-date=4 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tn.gov.in/schooleducation/statistics/picture1-edn.htm |title=Educational system in Tamil Nadu |publisher=Government of Tamil Nadu |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907203053/http://www.tn.gov.in/schooleducation/statistics/picture1-edn.htm |archive-date=7 September 2012}}</ref>

English is the medium of instruction in the majority of institutions for higher education.<ref name="CC1"/> The [[University of Madras]], founded in 1857, is one of India's first three modern universities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/features/a-brief-history-of-the-modern-indian-university |title=A brief history of the modern Indian university |date=24 November 2016 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727204708/https://www.timeshighereducation.com/features/a-brief-history-of-the-modern-indian-university |archive-date=27 July 2020}}</ref> Colleges for science, arts, and commerce degrees are typically affiliated with the [[University of Madras]], which has six campuses in the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://egovernance.unom.ac.in/CBCSAPPLICATION/download/inst.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=egovernance.unom.ac.in |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412124042/http://egovernance.unom.ac.in/CBCSAPPLICATION/download/inst.pdf |archive-date=12 April 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras]] (IIT Madras) and the [[College of Engineering, Guindy]], [[Anna University]] are two well-known centres for engineering education in the city. The Indian Army's [[Officers Training Academy]] is also headquartered in the city.

Chennai has a plethora of libraries, including British Council Library, American Library, Connemara Public Library, and Anna Centenary Library. The [[Connemara Public Library]] is one of four [[National Depository Centre]]s in India that receive a copy of all newspapers and books published in the country.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/Connemara-librarys-online-catalogue-launched/article16372153.ece |title=Connemara library's online catalogue launched |work=The Hindu |access-date=28 December 2012 |date=23 April 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407185717/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/Connemara-librarys-online-catalogue-launched/article16372153.ece |archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Singh |first=Sahib |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JmmeWL_9hqAC |title=Library and Literacy Movement for National Development |isbn=81-8069-065-2 |publisher=Concept |location=New Delhi |year=2004}}</ref> The [[Anna Centenary Library]] is the largest library in Asia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/96894/chennai-now-boasts-south-asias.html |last=Venkatsh |first=M. R. |title=Chennai now boasts South Asia's largest library |work=[[Deccan Herald]] |date=15 September 2010 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227105421/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/96894/chennai-now-boasts-south-asias.html |archive-date=27 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=G.C. Shekhar |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1111103/jsp/nation/story_14702553.jsp |title=Largest library to turn into hospital |publisher=Telegraphindia.com |date=3 November 2011 |access-date=6 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709154304/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1111103/jsp/nation/story_14702553.jsp |archive-date=9 July 2017}}</ref>

Chennai has two [[Council of Scientific and Industrial Research|CSIR]] research institutions namely [[Central Leather Research Institute]] and [[Structural Engineering Research Centre]]. Chennai Book Fair, an annual book fair organised in Chennai by the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI), is the largest exhibition for Tamil book publishers to display their books. The fair is typically held for about 10 days between the last week of December and the third week of January.<ref>{{cite book |title=Chennai |first=Rina |last=Kamath |page=105 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |year=2000 |isbn=81-250-1378-4}}</ref>

==Sports and recreation==
{{Main|Sport in Chennai}}
[[File:Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Chennai panorama.jpg|thumb|[[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Chennai)|Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]] multipurpose stadium]]
[[Cricket]] is the most popular sport in Chennai.<ref>{{cite book |title=India Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wWDnTWrz4O8C |page=618 |isbn=978-0-313-37462-3 |last1=Kaminsky |first1=Arnold P |last2=Long |first2=Roger D |year=2011}}</ref> It was introduced in 1864 with the foundation of the [[Madras Cricket Club]].<ref name="Pletcher">{{cite book |title=The Geography of India:Sacred and Historic Places |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mjr0X-8jrLAC |page=184 |isbn=978-1-61530-142-3 |last=Pletcher |first=Kenneth |year=2010}}</ref> The [[M.A. Chidambaram Stadium]] established in 1916 is among the oldest cricket stadiums in India.<ref>{{cite news |title=MA Chidambaram stadium |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/Cricket/cl-t20-2011/VenueDetails.aspx?venueid=91 |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228112548/http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/Cricket/cl-t20-2011/VenueDetails.aspx?venueid=91 |archive-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> The stadium was also one of the venues of the [[ICC Cricket World Cup|1987,1996 and 2011 ICC Cricket World Cups]]. [[Chemplast Cricket Ground]] located at the [[Indian Institute of Technology Madras|IIT Madras]] campus is another important venue for cricket matches. Prominent cricketers from the city include former cricket captains [[Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan|S.&nbsp;Venkataraghavan]] and [[Kris Srikkanth|Kris&nbsp;Srikkanth]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Srinivas Venkataraghavan |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/player/35656.html |work=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |last=Ramchand |first=Partab |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kris Srikkanth |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/player/34103.html |work=ESPNcricinfo |last=Ramchand |first=Partab |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> A cricket fast bowling academy called the [[MRF Pace Foundation]], whose coaches include [[T. A. Sekhar]] and [[Glenn Mcgrath]], is based in Chennai.<ref>{{cite news |title=Howard visits MRF Pace Foundation |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/09/stories/2006030908432000.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311232527/http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/09/stories/2006030908432000.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 March 2007 |date=9 March 2006 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pathan owes his success to MRF Pace Foundation |url=https://in.news.yahoo.com/040220/43/2bljj.html |date=20 February 2004 |work=Yahoo! News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311232922/http://in.news.yahoo.com/040220/43/2bljj.html |archive-date=11 March 2007 |agency=Indo-Asian News Service |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Being home to the [[Indian Premier League]] (IPL) cricket team [[Chennai Super Kings]], the city hosted the finals of the IPL's [[Indian premier league 2011|2011]] and [[2012 Indian Premier League|2012]] series.<ref>{{cite news |title=RCB vs CSK: Chennai Super Kings beat Royal Challengers Bangalore to reach IPL 4 final |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/rcb-vs-csk-chennai-super-kings-beat-royal-challengers-bangalore-to-reach-ipl-4-final/articleshow/8557943.cms |date=24 May 2011 |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407185942/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/rcb-vs-csk-chennai-super-kings-beat-royal-challengers-bangalore-to-reach-ipl-4-final/articleshow/8557943.cms |archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Chennai home to IPL final again in 2012 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/chennai-home-to-ipl-final-again-in-2012/articleshow/8641266.cms |date=30 May 2011 |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407190123/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/chennai-home-to-ipl-final-again-in-2012/articleshow/8641266.cms |archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref>

[[File:Ma ChidambaramStadium panaroma.jpg|thumb|left|[[M. A. Chidambaram Stadium]], one of the premier cricket venues in India]]
The city's professional [[Association football|football]] club [[Chennaiyin FC]] competes in [[Indian Super League]] (ISL), the top tier association football league of India associated with [[Asian Football Confederation]] and recognized by [[FIFA]]. The club uses the [[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Chennai)|Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]] nicknamed the [[Marina Arena]] as their home ground and are champions of the Indian Super League in 2015 and 2018.

Chennai was the venue of the [[1995 South Asian Games]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Thyagarajan |first=S |title=On the road to restoration |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/12/04/stories/2003120400820400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031224054746/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2003/12/04/stories/2003120400820400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 December 2003 |date=4 December 2003 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> Chennai is home to a [[World Series Hockey]] (WSH) team, the [[Chennai Cheetahs]]. The [[Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium]] is associated with [[Field hockey|hockey]] and was venue for the international hockey tournament the [[2005 Men's Hockey Champions Trophy|2005 Men's Champions Trophy]] and the [[2007 Men's Hockey Asia Cup|2007 Men's Asia Cup]]. The [[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai|Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]] is associated for hosting [[association football|Football]] and athletic competitions, it also houses a multi–purpose indoor complex for competition in volleyball, basketball and table tennis. [[Water sports]] are played in the Velachery Aquatic Complex. Tennis sport is popularising among the city youths, Since 1997 Chennai has been host to the only [[ATP World Tour]] event held in India, the [[Chennai Open]]<ref>{{cite web |title=About the venue |url=http://www.chennaiopen.org |publisher=[[International Management Group]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> which has been shifted to [[Pune]] as [[Maharashtra Open]] from 2017. [[Vijay Amritraj]], [[Mahesh Bhupathi]] [[Ramesh Krishnan]] and [[Somdev Devvarman]] are tennis players from Chennai.<ref name="amirtharajs">{{cite news |title=Off-court ace |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1050319/asp/weekend/story_4513588.asp |last=Basu |first=Arundhati |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=19 March 2005 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709152426/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1050319/asp/weekend/story_4513588.asp |archive-date=9 July 2017}}</ref>
Chennai is home to [[Chennai Slam]],<ref>[http://www.indiansportsnews.com/other-sports/basketball-news/38988-uba-pro-basketball-league-delhi-capitals-chennai-slam-set-up-final-clash UBA Pro Basketball League: Delhi Capitals, Chennai Slam set up final clash] Indian Sports News, 31 March 2016. Accessed 5 May 2017.</ref> two-time national champion of India's top professional basketball division, the [[UBA Pro Basketball League]].

[[File:Nungambakkam SDAT Tennis Stadium floodlit match panorama.jpg|thumb|[[Chennai Open]] match at the [[SDAT Tennis Stadium]]]]
[[Madras Boat Club]] (founded in 1846) and the [[Royal Madras Yacht Club]] (founded by [[Francis Spring|Sir Francis Spring]] in 1911) promote the sailing sports in Chennai, and organise national and international sailing events.<ref name="Pletcher"/> Automobile racing in India has been closely connected with Chennai since its beginnings shortly after independence. Motor racing events are held on a special purpose track in [[Madras Motor Race Track]], [[Sriperumbudur]],<ref name="hindumotorsport">{{cite news |last=Thyagarajan |first=S |title=On the right track |date=22 August 2002 |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/08/22/stories/2002082200640400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031104145002/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/08/22/stories/2002082200640400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 November 2003 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> which has also been the venue for several international competitions.<ref name="expressmotorsport">{{cite news |title=Chennai on right track |date=5 February 1998 |url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/19980205/03650544.html |work=The Indian Express |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011195517/http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/19980205/03650544.html |archive-date=11 October 2012}}</ref> [[Formula One]] driver [[Karun Chandhok]] was born in Chennai.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/racing/Karthikeyan-to-race-for-HRT-in-2012/articleshow/11740528.cms |title=Karthikeyan to race for HRT in 2012 |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206111058/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/racing/Karthikeyan-to-race-for-HRT-in-2012/articleshow/11740528.cms |archive-date=6 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/racing/Karun-Chandhok-goes-the-Endurance-way/articleshow/11467253.cms |title=Karun Chandhok goes the Endurance way |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827074126/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/racing/Karun-Chandhok-goes-the-Endurance-way/articleshow/11467253.cms |archive-date=27 August 2013}}</ref>

Horse racing is held at the [[Guindy Race Course]], while rowing competitions are hosted at the Madras Boat Club. The city has two 18-hole golf courses, the [[Cosmopolitan Club (Chennai)|Cosmopolitan Club]] and the [[Gymkhana Club, Chennai|Gymkhana Club]], both established in the late nineteenth century. The city has a [[rugby union]] team called the Chennai Cheetahs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Chennai Cheetahs lifts title |date=16 April 2007 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/16/stories/2007041605951700.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070418095946/http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/16/stories/2007041605951700.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 April 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref>
[[File:Irungaattukkottai racing track.jpg|thumb|[[Madras Motor Race Track]] circuit, in [[Irungattukottai]]]]

Home to the country's first [[FIDE titles#International Master (IM)|international chess master]], the first [[Grandmaster (chess)|grandmaster]], the first [[FIDE titles#Woman Grandmaster (WGM)|female grandmaster]], the first [[Arbiter (chess)|international arbiter]], and 12 of the 34 world chess grandmasters from India, Chennai is often dubbed "India's chess capital".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shanker |first1=V. Prem |last2=Pidaparthy |first2=Umika |title=Chennai: India's chess capital |newspaper=Aljazeera |location= |pages= |language= |publisher= |date=27 November 2013 |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2013/11/27/chennai-indias-chess-capital |access-date=27 July 2022}}</ref> Former world chess champion [[Viswanathan Anand]] grew up and resides in Chennai.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brijnath |first=Rohit |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/06/stories/2007100655521900.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011192157/http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/06/stories/2007100655521900.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 October 2007 |title=India's most consistent champion |date=6 October 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/chess/story/_/id/29276320/back-chennai-viswanathan-anand-looks-forward-home-food-bonding-son |title=Back in Chennai, Viswanathan Anand looks forward to home food and bonding with son |date=6 June 2020 |website=[[ESPN]] |first=Susan |last=Ninan}}</ref> Other sports persons of repute from Chennai include table tennis players [[Sharath Kamal]] and two–time world [[carrom]] champion, [[Maria Irudayam]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Meera |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/09/07/stories/2007090760930400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012041902/http://hindu.com/2007/09/07/stories/2007090760930400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 October 2007 |title=Four Chennai teachers have a reason to rejoice |date=7 September 2007 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://sportal.nic.in/front.asp?maincatid=51&headingid=71 |publisher=Govt. of India |title=Indian Teams in International Competitions |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927012135/http://sportal.nic.in/front.asp?maincatid=51&headingid=71 |archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref> Chennai was the host of the [[World Chess Championship 2013]] match between Viswanathan Anand and [[Magnus Carlsen]].<ref name="fideoffer">{{cite news |title=Fide offers 2013 World Chess C'ship to Chennai |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/chess/fide-offers-2013-world-chess-cship-to-chennai/articleshow/9567992.cms |first=Hari Hara |last=Nandanan |date=21 August 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |location=Chennai |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407190310/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/chess/fide-offers-2013-world-chess-cship-to-chennai/articleshow/9567992.cms |archive-date=7 April 2021}}</ref><ref name="chennaihost">{{cite news |title=world chess championship 2013 at chennai |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/chennai-will-host-world-chess-championship-jayalalithaa/article4594208.ece |work=The Hindu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111225841/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/chennai-will-host-world-chess-championship-jayalalithaa/article4594208.ece |archive-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> In 2022, Chennai hosted the [[44th Chess Olympiad]],<ref name="TH_FIDEhost">{{cite news |title=This is how Chennai is decked up for the 44th Chess Olympiad |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/watch-this-is-how-chennai-is-decked-up-for-the-44th-chess-olympiad/article65686785.ece |work=The Hindu |date=26 July 2022 |access-date=27 July 2022}}</ref><ref name="BL_FIDEHost">{{cite news |title=Chess Olympiad 2022: How Tamil Nadu clinched the hosting rights |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/chess-olympiad-2022-how-tamil-nadu-made-quick-move-to-clinch-the-hosting-rights/article65685225.ece |first1=V |last1=Narayanan |first2=T. E. |last2=Raja Simhan |date=26 July 2022 |work=The Hindu Business Line |location=Chennai |access-date=27 July 2022 }}</ref> in which 1,400 players from across 187 countries will participate.<ref name="BL_FIDEHost"/>

===City based teams===
{{Full list|Sport in Chennai#Teams
}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Club !! Sport !! League !! Home Stadium !! Founded
|-
|[[Chennai Slam]]
|[[Basketball]]
|[[UBA Pro Basketball League]]
|[[Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium]]
| 2015
|-
|[[Chennai Superstarz]]
|[[Badminton]]
|[[Premier Badminton League]]
|[[Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium]]
| 2015
|-
|[[Chennai Super Kings]]
|[[Cricket]]
|[[Indian Premier League]]
|[[M.A. Chidambaram Stadium]]
| 2008
|-
|[[Chepauk Super Gillies]]
|[[Cricket]]
|[[Tamil Nadu Premier League]]
|[[M.A. Chidambaram Stadium]]
| 2016
|-
|[[Chennaiyin FC]]
|[[Association football|Football]]
|[[Indian Super League]]
|[[Marina Arena]]
| 2013
|-
||[[Tamil Thalaivas]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.prokabaddi.com/teams/29-tamil-thalaivas-teamprofile |title=Tamil Thalaivas |access-date=8 October 2017 |work=Prokabbadi |archive-date=3 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803005208/https://www.prokabaddi.com/teams/29-tamil-thalaivas-teamprofile |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|[[Kabaddi]]
|[[Pro Kabaddi League]]
|[[Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium]]
| 2017
|-
|[[Chennai Lions]]
|[[Table tennis]]
|[[Ultimate Table Tennis]]
|[[Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium]]
|2019
|-
|[[Chennai Blitz]]
|[[Volleyball]]
|[[Prime Volleyball League]]
|[[Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium]]
|2021
|}

==International relations==

===Foreign missions===
[[File:USConsulateChennai BuildingExterior.jpg|thumb|230px|right|The American consulate in Chennai.]]
{{See also|List of diplomatic missions in Chennai}}
The consular presence in the city dates back to 1794, when William Abbott was appointed US consular agent for [[South India]].<ref name="History">{{cite web |title=History |publisher=US Consulate Chennai |url=http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/history.html |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213213744/http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/history.html |archive-date=13 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Mike |title=Abbott Family Genealogy |publisher=mikesclark.com |url=http://www.mikesclark.com/genealogy/abbott.html |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615014030/http://www.mikesclark.com/genealogy/abbott.html |archive-date=15 June 2020}}</ref><ref name="AbbottOfTeynampet">{{cite news |title=An Abbott of Teynampet |location=Chennai |date=30 April 2007 |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2007/04/30/stories/2007043000240601.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113042945/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2007/04/30/stories/2007043000240601.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 November 2007 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> {{As of|2012}}, there were 43 [[List of diplomatic missions in Chennai|foreign representations in Chennai]], including consulates general, deputy high commissions and honorary consulates.<ref>{{cite web |title=Did you know that&nbsp;... |publisher=Embassy Pages |url=http://www.embassypages.com/missions/embassy19502/ |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref> The [[Consulate General of the United States, Chennai|American Consulate in Chennai]] is one of the top adjudication posts in the world and the number one in processing employment-based visas. It was ranked among the top globally in issuing 'L' and 'H' category visas for workers and professionals and was ranked eighth globally in terms of all category of visas being issued.<ref name="ChennaiAmongTop10Visa">{{cite news |title=U.S. Consulate in Chennai among top 10 visa issuers |location=Chennai |date=9 July 2010 |url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/09/stories/2010070956080200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713185155/http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/09/stories/2010070956080200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 July 2010 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref>

The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), which is the office of the field officers in charge of immigration and registration activities in the city, is located at Shastri Bhavan at Haddows Road.<ref>{{cite web |title=Foreigners Regional Registration Office, Chennai |publisher=Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, India |url=http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/frro_chennairAdd2.htm |access-date=5 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122092643/http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/frro_chennairAdd2.htm |archive-date=22 January 2013}}</ref>

===Twin towns – Sister cities===
{{location map+|float=right|World|width=400|caption=Sister cities of Chennai|places=
{{Location map~ |World|mark = Green pog.svg <!--green dot--> |coordinates = {{coord|13|4|57|N|80|16|30|E}}|label='''Chennai''' |position=top |marksize=10 }}
{{Location map~ |World|coordinates = {{coord|48|42|00|N|44|31|0|E}} |label=[[Volgograd]] |position=bottom |marksize=6 }}
{{Location map~ |World|coordinates = {{coord|39|44|21|N|104|59|25|W}} |label=[[Denver]] |position=top |marksize=6 }}
{{Location map~ |World|coordinates = {{coord|29|25|30|N|98|29|38|W}} |label=[[San Antonio]] |position=right |marksize=6 }}
{{Location map~ |World|coordinates = {{coord|03|08|52|N|101|41|43|E}} |label=[[Kuala Lumpur]] |position=right |marksize=6 }}
{{Location map~ |World|coordinates = {{coord|29|33|30|N|106|34|00|E}} |label=[[Chongqing]] |position=right |marksize=6 }}
{{Location map~ |World|coordinates = {{coord|35|33|00|N|129|19|00|E}} |label=[[Ulsan]] |position=top |marksize=6 }}
}}
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in India}}
Chennai has [[Twin towns and sister cities|sister city]] relationships with the following cities of the world:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! City
! Country
! State/Region 
! Continent
! Since
! Ref.
|- style="background:#ffffcf;"
| [[Volgograd]]
| {{flagicon|RUS}} Russia
| [[Volgograd Oblast]]
| Europe
| 1966
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/beyond_moscow/volgograd.html |title=Volgograd: 80 Kilometers of Industry and War Heroes |work=[[The Moscow Times]] |date=24 October 2011 |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183901/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/beyond_moscow/volgograd.html |archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref>
|- style="background:#ffffcf;"
| [[Denver]]
| {{flagicon|USA}} United States
| [[Colorado]]
| North America
| 1984
|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.denversistercities.org/chennai.php |title=Overview of Chennai, India: Denver Sister Cities International |publisher=Denversistercities.org |access-date=28 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605045557/http://www.denversistercities.org/chennai.php |archive-date=5 June 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|- style="background:#ffffcf;"
| [[San Antonio]]
| {{flagicon|USA}} United States
| [[Texas]]
| North America
| 2008
|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sainternationalrelations.org/sister-cities-program.html |title=What is it? |publisher=Official Website of the City of San Antonio |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref>
|- style="background:#ffffcf;"
| [[Kuala Lumpur]]
| {{flagicon|MYS}} Malaysia
| [[Federal Territory (Malaysia)|Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur]]
| Asia
| 2010
|<ref>{{cite news |url=http://hindu.com/2010/11/26/stories/2010112661760300.htm |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20101129155307/http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/26/stories/2010112661760300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 November 2010 |title=Chennai, Kuala Lumpur sign sister city pact |date=26 November 2010 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref>
|- style="background:#ffffcf;"
| [[Chongqing]]
| {{flagicon|PRC}} China
| [[Direct-controlled municipalities of China|Municipality of Chongqing]]
| Asia
| 2015
|<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/25240/Joint_Statement_between_the_India_and_China_during_Prime_Ministers_visit_to_China |title=Agreement between PRC and India |date=15 May 2015 |work=Ministry of external affairs, India |access-date=15 May 2015}}</ref>
|- style="background:#ffffcf;"
| [[Ulsan]]
| {{flagicon|KOR}} South Korea
| [[List of special cities of South Korea|Ulsan Metropolitan City]]
| Asia
| 2016
|<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/Another-Sister-City-pact-this-time-with-South-Korea%E2%80%99s-Ulsan/article14547911.ece |title=Another Sister City pact, this time with South Korea's Ulsan |date=3 August 2016 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=3 August 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804024935/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/Another-Sister-City-pact-this-time-with-South-Korea%E2%80%99s-Ulsan/article14547911.ece |archive-date=4 August 2020}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
*[[Areas of Chennai]]
*[[List of people from Chennai]]
*[[Timeline of Chennai history]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=upper-alpha}}
{{NoteFoot}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110429011354/http://www.chennai.tn.nic.in/ Official website] of Chennai district
*[http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/ Official website of the Corporation of Chennai] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202212744/http://www.chennaicorporation.gov.in/images/chennai_city_municipal_corporation_act.pdf |date=2 December 2012 }}
*{{curlie|Regional/Asia/India/Tamil_Nadu/Localities/Chennai/}}
*[https://www.britannica.com/place/Chennai Chennai] ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' entry

{{Geographic location
 |Centre = Chennai 
 |North  = [[Andhra Pradesh]]
 |East   = ''[[Indian Ocean]]'' 
 |South  = ''[[Indian Ocean]]'' 
 |West   = [[Kerala]]  
}}
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[[Category:Chennai| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Chennai district]]
[[Category:Metropolitan cities in India]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in India]]
[[Category:Port cities in India]]
[[Category:Coromandel Coast]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 1640s]]
[[Category:1640s establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:Smart cities in India]]