Chromepet
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Chromepet is a township in the southern part of Chennai, India. The town is Chromepet is on the Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road, close to Tambaram and 4 km south of the Anna International Airport, Meenambakkam, as well as near the Madras Export Processing Zone (MEPZ). It is also the home of the Madras Institute of Technology. This is the institute where our beloved President of India Honorable Abdul Kalam and famous tamil writer Sujatha studied.
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[edit] History
This area was a part of Thondaimandalam ruled by Thodaimans who were allied with the early cholas from around 1 st to 2 nd century AD. Later this area was passed on to the chieftains of the Satavahanas. Chennai, Chengulpet and surrounding area belonged to the Thondai Nadu during the Pallava period (3rd to 7 th century AD). The historic period proper begins with the Pallava kings and the earliest of their stone inscriptions is found nearby in Pallavaram (Pallava puram) in a cave temple excavated by Mahendravarman I (600-630 A.D.) [1]. Narasimhavarman I who succeeded Mahendravarman I waged battles against Pulekesin of the Chalukya dynasty and defeated him at Manimangalam which is only about 11 km south-west of Chromepet.
- Chola period
During the later chola period (9 th to 12 th century AD), the area that is now Chromepet belonged to the Churathur Nadu, named after Thiruchuram, the modern Trisulam village near Pallavaram. The Churathur Nadu extended from Tambaram in the south to Adambakkam and Alathur (Alandur) in the north and included Pammal, Pallavaram and Tirunirmalai [2].
- Pandya, Telugu Choda, Vijayanagar
Later the lands passed on to Pandya, Telugu Choda and the Vijayanagar dynasty between later part of 12 th and 15 th century.
- British
During the British rule in the 18 th century, the leather industries started developing in the southwest of the city. The Chrome Leather Company (CLC) was established in this area in 1912 and most of the land to the west of the current Chromepet railway station was owned by CLC.
- After independence, the Madras Institute of Technology (M.I.T) founded in July 1949 in an area extending over 20 hectares at Chromepet. Residential and commercial development started in the 1960's. Chromepet is now one of the thriving residential areas of the Chennai suburb.
[edit] Neighbourhoods
Chromepet is made up of various smaller communities and townships:
- Radha Nagar is on the east side of the local train station. It is also the trading hub of Chromepet. It houses many banks, shops and other trading establishments. AG hospital, a prominent hospital is situated in Bharathi Street which is an important road junction.
There are two important temples in Radha Nagar 1) Sri Durgai amman Temple and 2) Sri Rama Anjenaya Temple. Both temple are quiet and calm inside the shrine.good joints of eat out is also there, like gupta sweets, Bangalore Iyengar Bakery, Nandhini Sweets.
- Nehru Nagar is one of the oldest and popular residential areas in Chromepet. It lies south-east of the Chromepet Railway station. Nehru Nagar boasts the Madras Institute of Technology (M.I.T). The M.I.T staff residential quarters and access grounds used to be called Rani Thottam (Queens garden) which has historical significance. Nehru Nagar is now replete with flats and a large residential area. The land prices are at a premium here due to the newly constructed over-bridge across the M.I.T railway gate.
There is an important Hindu shrine in Nehru Nagar dedicated to Lord Muruga - Kumaran Kundram.
- Krishna Nagar, with its serene atmosphere is the ideal residential area in the whole of Chromepet.
- Gajalakshmi Nagar is another neighbourhood located on the eastern side of the local train station. It is a residential locality and nestled between State Bank Colony and Kumaran Kundram, the famous hill shrine of Lord Muruga.
- New Colony is on the west side of the local train station.
- Nagappa Nagar is a new development which lies beyond New Colony to the west. Once empty land owned by the Chrome Leather Company, it was sold to various builders and the entire land has been well developed.
- The very old town of Lakishmipuram lies beyond Nagaappa Nagar.
- Nagalkeni is where the leather industry once thrived. The groundwater was polluted by this industry. The area continues to be an industrial center; one noted company is the Tag Corporation, which manufactures heavy electrical equipment.
- Bharathipuram is on the east side of the local train station. It is surrounded by Radha nagar, Nemillichery, Purushotham Nagar. Its an old and good residential area with all sort of amenities and good schools like Vignesh Vinayagar school(http://www.info-lands.com/).
- Hastinapuram is on the southernmost end and one of the fastest growing residential areas. This also houses the Hasthinapuram Bus Terminous. The area within called Venkataraman Nagar named after a leading erstwhile judge was supposed to have been the largest self developed/ non governmental colony at its inception. This area seems to be attaracting a large concentrations of IT professionals because of its proximity to multiple IT institutions.
- Reserve Bank Colony (RBI COLONY) is located in Chrompet, behind vettri Theatre. Less than half a kilometer from GST Main Road. This is one of the best residential colony available in Chrompet. This enclave is around 8 acres of land having approximately 100 independent houses/bungalows surrounded by numerous cocount trees, orchid plants etc. There are lot of birds sounds one can hear from morning to evening. Extremely silent and isolated area yet fully developed colony in Chromepet.
[edit] Transportation links
Chromepet is well connected to the city of Chennai by public transportation services including the famous electric train service that was built during British rule. Chromepet is located in the Beach - Tambaram suburban railway network. see Chennai suburban railway
The Great Southern Trunk (GST) road that connects various south Indian cities to Chennai passes through this township. In the 1960s and 1970s taking a walk along the GST road was a common activity of elderly residents of Chrompet; however, this has become uncommon today as the road now has heavy traffic at most times of the day. In the past, Chromepet was very famous for poor roads, inner roads are at worst, if any rain comes, it is very difficult to travel, till water drains. But now with the influx of more people and massive expansion, Chromepet has grown and improved a lot comparable to any other famous places in the city.
New Colony and Lakshimipuram did not have bus service until the 1980s; however, M18, a mini-bus service, was introduced and it is being used even today by many commuters. The most famous bus route to reach Chrompet from the city was 18A. Train service is one of the important transport source for the residents.
There are frequent buses to Chromepet (which is en route to Tambaram) from Guindy, Saidapet and other stops on Mount Road (Anna Salai). Most of these buses originate from the bus terminus at Parry's Corner. There are also buses from Ashok Pillar and other points further to the north. You have to get down at Chromepet stop.
Bus service : 18A, 18R and J series, 70 series, 66, 18M & 18N, 52B & 52C, 52E. Local train : Tambaram - Beach Broad Gauge. About 5 km from Tambaram. 15 min drive from national/international airports.
[edit] Institutions
[edit] Schools
- Government Board High School
- Sundravalli Memorial School
- Fatima Convent
- N.S.N Matriculation Higher Secondary School
- Viignesh Vinayagar school, Bharathipuram
- Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Educare, Chromepet
- Smt.Ramkuwar Devi Fomra Vivekanda Vidyalaya
- Modern Matriculation School, Cholvaram Nagar
- S.C.S Matriculation Higher Secondary School
- Saviour Jesus Matriculation Higher Secondary School
- Holy Angels Matriculation School
- Neelaram Matriculation Higher Secondary School
[edit] Colleges
- Madras Institute of Technology
- S.D.N.B Vaishnav College for Women
- Sree Balaji Medical College & Hospital
[edit] Hospitals
Govt General Hospital
Sree Balaji Medical College & Hospital Akash Nursing Home Dr.Murali's dental hospital at RP Road
[edit] Industry
- Some leather tanning industries.
- Ponds India Ltd.
- TAG industries (electrical)
- Metropolitan Transport Corporation Workshop
- Indra cotton Mills
- CLC
- Timber Merchants on the G.S.T Road. Since 1960's
( All kinds of Timber Species . Plywoods and other Related Items )
[edit] Temples
- Thiruneermalai 5 km away
- Kumaran Kundram
[edit] Telephone
Exchange code: 40,236,238 (old & not valid anymore)
2265, 2238, 2239, 2240,2223
[edit] Chromepet in wikimapia
http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=12950381&x=80143542&z=18&l=0&m=a&v=2
[edit] References
- [1]Tambaram history - http://www.cmi.ac.in/gift/Archeaology/arch_tambaramhistory.htm
- [2]More inscriptions from the Tambaram area- http://www.cmi.ac.in/gift/Epigraphy/epig_tambarammore.htm
- [3] Chennai history - http://www.chennai.tn.nic.in/chndistprof.htm
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