In a decisive move to protect public access and ensure long-term urban mobility, the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TNRERA) has banned the construction of gates and compound walls that block public roads within private housing layouts. This regulation, issued via a circular on May 7, 2025, targets developers attempting to privatize roads intended for public use—especially those handed over to local bodies through gift deeds.
🔒 Why Gated Roads Are Now Illegal in Private Layouts
Some developers have constructed full boundary walls or entrance gates in the name of providing security to residents. However, this has led to the unlawful blocking of through roads, disrupting connectivity between adjacent layouts and violating urban development policies. TNRERA clarified that such gated barriers will no longer be allowed during real estate project registration.
“Promoters must remove any obstruction and provide photographic proof before their layout can be considered for approval,” a TNRERA official emphasized.
🛣️ Supporting the CMDA’s Grid of Roads Vision
This new regulation is aligned with the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority’s (CMDA) “Grid of Roads” initiative, which promotes a well-connected road network across the city. Gated layouts cut off these essential arteries, undermining the CMDA’s planned urban development goals and hampering inter-layout access.
The order also applies to layouts approved by both the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) and CMDA, addressing a widespread issue across Tamil Nadu’s growing suburbs.
📝 Project Registration Now Tied to Public Access Compliance
TNRERA Chairperson Shiv Das Meena has instructed all scrutiny officials to ensure compliance before forwarding registration applications. Layouts with any kind of obstruction will be denied project registration until access is restored.
This move ensures:
- Preservation of public infrastructure
- Protection of citizen access rights
- Support for sustainable and inclusive urban planning
🔍 Related Tools and Services for Developers & Buyers
Before purchasing a plot in a private layout, homebuyers should verify whether internal roads are marked for public use and if the layout follows approved planning norms. This can be done by reviewing official layout approvals and land classification documents.
Useful services and tools from Verified.RealEstate include:
- Layout Approval → Check if the layout is officially approved and whether roads are gifted to local bodies.
- View Patta/Chitta → View ownership and classification of land parcels.
- View FMB → See boundary and road alignments clearly.
- Land Use Zone Finder → Confirm if the area is reserved for residential use and assess development rules.
These tools help buyers ensure that their property purchase doesn’t violate regulations or encroach upon public infrastructure.