Arumbakkam is one of the prime residential localities of Chennai, situated in the western part of the city. The locality is a quintessential blend of excellent residential and commercial real estate, and responsible infrastructural development. It is well divided into colonies and streets, demarcating the quiet and calm residential areas of the locality from the bustling and busy commercial hotspots.
Arumbakkam is strategically located with a number of developed high-end commercial and residential hubs enveloping it. Some of these localities include Anna Nagar, Anna Nagar East, Nungambakkam, Anna Nagar West, Aminjikarai, Kodambakkam, and Koyambedu.
When it comes to social infrastructure, Arumbakkam houses many educational and healthcare institutions, with top notch facilities available under its wing. Popular schools and colleges include Institute of Industrial Education and Management, Narayana E-Techno School, Kids Gurukulam Chennai, Sishir Play School, Dwaraka Doss Goverdhan Doss Vaishnav College. The hospitals are New Hope Indian Speciality Hospitals, Ayur Kshetra, Rathna Siddha Hospital, and Vasanthi Orthopaedic Hospital.
The commercial infrastructure of the area is also commendable, with a plethora of services tinkling across the entire length and breadth of the locality. From beauty parlours to supermarkets, the area is a storehouse of everyday amenities. Arumbakkam is also packed with restaurants and shopping malls such as City Shopping Centre, 10 Square Mall, Mega Mart, US Dollar Store, Sri Ramanaas Cafe, Cafe in the Park, and Noodle King Chinese Restaurant.
Connectivity and Transit Points
Arumbakkam boasts of great connectivity in terms of not just roads, but also public and private transport. There are no highways, per se, in Arumbakkam, as it is a purely residential locality, but because Poonamallee High Road, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Razzak Garden Main Road, and Flyover Bridge merge into the NH4, the road connectivity around Arumbakkam is top notch.
Jawaharlal Nehru Road is also home to the Arumbakkam Metro station and CMBT Metro Station, which would start service in the coming months. Arumbakkam enjoys proximity to Nungambakkam railway station, situated only 4 km away, facilitating inter-state travel.
A number of buses ply through Arumbakkam day and night, aiding both inter-city and intra-city travel, making stops at public and private bus stations of the locality, such as Ring Road Bus Stop, SRS Bus Depot, Arihant Towers Bus Stop, SRM Bus Terminus, and MMDA Bus Stop.
Chennai International Airport is also situated within a 15 km radius of Arumbakkam. However, due to the heavy traffic during peak hours, it can take close to 30-35 minutes to reach the airport via Jawaharlal Nehru Road and NH-45.
Major Landmarks
Advent Christian Church
Arumbakkam Park
Koyambedu Substation
State Election Commission
Goldmine Hotels
Varadharaja Perumal Koil
Hare Krishna Thirumalai Bhavan
Chennai Ford
Nilgiris Super Market
Factors for Growth in the Past
Being just 3.5 km from Anna Nagar, Arumbakkam saw development after the 1970s in the face of Anna Nagar’s rapid development. With industries and companies being set up in and around the locality, the residential sector of Arumbakkam saw quick development, mainly in terms of individual houses. But, the trend quickly shifted towards multi-storey buildings and high-rise apartments, as the IT industry in Chennai boomed.
With the growing population of residents in the area, social infrastructure and connectivity also spurted in the locality. Because of this, Arumbakkam quickly transformed from being a quiet and serene residential locality into a cultured residential and commercial hub.
Residential and Commercial Market
Residential Market Trends
Property prices in Arumbakkamhave seen positive growth in the past years, and have been consistently increasing, proving its potential.
The average price for 2 BHK and 3 BHK apartments in Arumbakkam is Rs 8,350 per sq. ft. and Rs 9,050 per sq. ft., respectively. The average prices for residential plots and compact 2 BHK individual houses in Arumbakkam are relatively higher at approximately Rs 12,000 per sq. ft. and Rs 9,080 per sq. ft., respectively.
Due to the number of colleges and offices around, the rent culture has gradually become a prominent feature of Arumbakkam. The average rent for a 2 BHK and 3 BHK apartment falls within Rs 15 per sq. ft. to Rs 25 per sq. ft., which totals to roughly Rs 14,000 per month to Rs 37,000 per month.
Commercial Market Trends
Mid-to-large sized offices sell at an average price of Rs 7,700 per sq. ft., and can be rented at an average price of Rs 40 per sq. ft. The rentals for shops are higher than offices, at about Rs 66 per sq. ft.
Prices for commercial plots are the highest in the locality. The plots sell at an average of Rs 12,810 per sq. ft., which roughly translates to Rs 3 to 4 crores.
Major Challenges
Despite being a well-developed locality, a few civic issues hover over Arumbakkam. Prone to major water clogs and overflow of drainage water during the monsoons, the locality additionally suffers from clogged drainage canals and incomplete flood protection.
The delay of Open Space Reservation land transfer to Chennai Corporation is acting as a hindrance in the development of many parks in the area. This land transfer could help set up and improve parks, and would perfectly complement the serene residential colonies of Arumbakkam.
The incomplete stretch of Kodambakkam bridge has also been a matter of concern for the residents of Arumbakkam, who often commute via this route. With one portion of the bridge’s wall demolished and many potholes on the road, this route has become a major concern for the safety of the motorists travelling during peak traffic hours.
Factors for Growth in the Future
With Chennai being tagged as one of the top 12 best property destinations to invest in, areas like Arumbakkam are sure to see development in terms of residential, commercial, civic, and social infrastructure.
The proposed feeder service for metro rail along the 11-km stretch between Koyambedu and St. Thomas Mount would do wonders for connectivity in Arumbakkam. Given the narrow streets within the residential colonies of the locality, the proposal would allow share autos to ply through the local streets, providing affordable and quick connectivity. With such a huge step in connectivity, the realty demands of the area are likely to soar further.
Apart from a fleet of developments taking place to improve connectivity and social infrastructure in the area, upcoming residential projects such as Oyster Delights, Casa Grande Platina, and EGB Hamsa will add to Arumbakkam’s growing residential market.
