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South Chennai Corridor · 2026 Update Kilambakkam Bus Terminus and South Chennai’s Next Growth Corridor The Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) is more than a transport facility — it’s a large-scale infrastructure anchor reshaping the southern edge of Chennai. Its real-estate story is genuinely promising, but it’s still being built, in more ways than one. 88.52 acres TERMINUS SITE 215 BUS PLATFORMS ~2,310 / day BUSES (PLANNED SCALE) ₹393.74 Cr REPORTED TERMINUS COST Latest Update Live Status Board Every piece of Kilambakkam’s transport story is at a different stage. Treat each one separately — an “announced” project carries very different risk from an “operational” one. PROJECT STATUS TARGET KCBT Bus Terminus Opened 30 Dec 2023 · 215 platforms OPERATIONAL Live GST Road Widening & Vandalur Flyover Reported vehicular slowdown persisted post-opening ONGOING / PARTIAL Underway Kilambakkam Railway Station Platform 1 complete; 2 & 3 nearing completion DELAYED ~Oct 2026 Station–Terminus Skywalk (275m) Multiple postponements through 2025–26 DELAYED Tied to rail works Airport–Kilambakkam Metro Extension DPR submitted 14 Feb 2025; not yet funded or under construction UNDER CONSIDERATION No fixed date The skywalk and railway station have already slipped past several earlier target dates (January, then March, then June 2026) — a useful reminder that any date here, including the current one, should be treated as provisional. The Bigger Picture Why Kilambakkam matters beyond the bus stand Transport terminals create repeated flows of people, vehicles, services, and commerce. Over time, these flows can support housing demand, rentals, retail, healthcare, education, warehousing, and small-business activity. The most accurate way to understand Kilambakkam is as a transit-led suburban growth node within the wider Vandalur–Urapakkam–Maraimalai Nagar–Chengalpattu corridor — its potential rests on the combination of regional bus connectivity, GST Road access, developing rail infrastructure, a proposed metro link, and nearby industrial and institutional employment. REGIONAL REACH Not just a local stop South-bound services from SETC, TNSTC, Puducherry RTC, and private omnibus operators were shifted here from Koyambedu — giving KCBT a genuinely regional catchment across southern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, not a neighbourhood one. EMPLOYMENT ANCHORS Jobs make demand durable Mahindra World City further down GST Road hosts manufacturing, IT, and research activity (including Capgemini, Infosys, and healthcare research Valley), while the SRM ecosystem around Potheri and institutions across Vandalur, Guduvanchery, and Chengalpattu add education-linked demand. Market Response How the real estate market may develop Market Response 01 — RESIDENTIAL From plots to a broader mix The first response near a new transport node is usually plotted development. Over time, a maturing node tends to add apartments, gated communities, and rental housing — competing on security and amenities rather than proximity to the bus stand alone. 02 — RENTAL Often the fastest visible mover Tenants test new locations faster than buyers commit to them. Terminus staff, nearby employment, and educational institutions create a base for compact apartments, managed rooms, and hostels. 03 — RETAIL & HOSPITALITY Strong footfall, high competition Restaurants, pharmacies, travel services, and budget stays can thrive here — but the most durable businesses serve both travellers and residents, not passengers alone. 04 — LOGISTICS A different land-use question Vehicle servicing, distribution, and storage can suit the GST Road belt — but the best logistics sites aren’t always the best residential ones. Verify approved land use before assuming a parcel supports your intended purpose. Interactive Not every nearby locality performs equally “Near Kilambakkam” gets used loosely in marketing. Tap each location band to see how demand, advantages, and risks actually differ. Location Analysis IMMEDIATE KCBT SURROUNDINGS VANDALUR–URAPAKKAM GUDUVANCHERY–POTHERI–MARAIMALAI NAGAR MAHINDRA WORLD CITY–CHENGALPATTU Immediate KCBT surroundings LIKELY DEMAND Retail, food, transport services, budget rentals, compact housing KEY ADVANTAGE Maximum passenger visibility MAIN RISK Congestion, noise, parking pressure, weaker residential liveability Vandalur-Urapakkam belt LIKELY DEMAND Family housing, apartments, rentals, local retail KEY ADVANTAGE Close access to KCBT, Tambaram, and existing urban services MAIN RISK Traffic, drainage, and variation in civic infrastructure Guduvanchery-Potheri-Maraimalai Nagar LIKELY DEMAND Student housing, workforce rentals, apartments, plotted development KEY ADVANTAGE Educational and employment anchors nearby MAIN RISK Longer access distance and uneven last-mile connectivity Mahindra World City-Chengalpattu belt LIKELY DEMAND Employment-linked housing, industrial services, larger developments KEY ADVANTAGE Integrated employment and transport corridor MAIN RISK Greater distance from Chennai core; dependence on job concentration Worth Weighing Risks and constraints that could moderate growth Risk Notes Congestion: The same terminal that creates demand can also create congestion — GST Road movement reportedly slowed even after widening and the Vandalur flyover. Execution risk: The railway station, skywalk, and metro extension are at different stages — treating any of them as complete before they are is an overstated narrative. Drainage & climate resilience: Peripheral urbanisation can outpace storm-water and sewage capacity — inspect a site during or after heavy rain, not just on a dry brochure day. Approvals & title quality: Rapid land-market expansion can bring unauthorised layouts and unclear access rights — independent verification matters more here than in an established neighbourhood. Speculative pricing: Infrastructure narratives can get priced in before infrastructure is delivered — if asking prices outrun local rents and incomes, liquidity risk rises, especially for peripheral plots. Before You Commit Track the corridor, verify the property Property Checklist TRACK THE CORRIDOR VERIFY THE PROPERTY 0 / 7 Rail access is actually open and convenient, not just under construction. The skywalk is completed and genuinely used by commuters. Bus operations have stabilised at the reported scale. Junction congestion is measurably improving, not just being discussed. Rents are rising alongside occupancy, not just alongside asking prices. Major employers are actually expanding in the corridor. Approved housing supply is being absorbed without excess inventory. Nothing checked yet. 0 / 7 Defined the investment thesis — end-use, rental, land banking, retail, or logistics — since each needs a different location. Measured actual travel time to the terminus, rail, and employment nodes at peak hours. Verified title, encumbrance certificate, and layout approval independently. Confirmed land-use classification and any road-widening or acquisition notifications. Checked flood and drainage conditions directly, ideally after rain. Compared at least three

Infrastructure & Real Estate · 2026 Update Chennai Metro Rail and its impact on real estate Better metro connectivity can make it easier to reach offices, schools, hospitals, and business districts — and locations near stations often draw more attention from homebuyers, tenants, and developers. But metro access alone has never guaranteed higher prices. The real effect depends on the exact station location, walking distance, and the neighbourhood’s underlying infrastructure. 118.9 km Phase 2 Network 128 Planned Stations 3 Corridors ₹63,246 Cr Official Project Cost Latest Update Where Phase 2 actually stands in 2026 The operational Chennai Metro Phase I network covers approximately 45.05 km across 32 stations, with the Washermenpet–Wimco Nagar extension adding another 9.05 km and nine stations. Phase 2, approved by the Tamil Nadu government, is a considerably larger undertaking — 118.9 km across 128 stations in three corridors, officially costed at roughly ₹63,246 crore, with CMRL targeting overall completion by the end of 2028. As of mid-2026, public reporting citing CMRL data puts aggregate physical progress across Phase 2 at around 54.62% — but that figure spans everything from utility relocation to finished stations, and it does not mean over half the network is close to carrying passengers. Roughly 42 km of the corridor runs underground, and tunnel-boring work has passed two dozen breakthroughs. CMRL has indicated sections will open in phases rather than all at once as construction is completed corridor by corridor. Worth remembering: “physical progress” and “passenger-ready” are different things. A station can have completed civil structure while still needing track, power, signalling, and safety certification before it opens. Always check a station’s specific status, not the network-wide percentage. Interactive The three Phase 2 corridors Tap a corridor to see its route and real-estate relevance. Colours here are for this guide’s reference only — CMRL has not yet announced official line colours for these three corridors. CORRIDOR 3  ·  MADHAVARAM–SIPCOT CORRIDOR 4  ·  LIGHTHOUSE–POONAMALLEE CORRIDOR 5  ·  MADHAVARAM–SHOLINGANALLUR Madhavaram Chetpet Nungambakkam Adyar SIPCOT CORRIDOR 3 Madhavaram – SIPCOT Connects northern Chennai with central areas, Adyar, OMR, and SIPCOT. Central locations such as Chetpet, Nungambakkam, and Adyar already have strong demand thanks to established infrastructure — here, metro connectivity is more likely to improve rental demand, office access, and retail activity than to create entirely new residential markets. Madhavaram itself may see fresh residential and commercial interest as access to the wider city improves. Length: 45.8 km   Key areas: Madhavaram, Chetpet, Nungambakkam, Adyar, SIPCOT The Mechanics How Chennai Metro can influence real estate 01 Residential demand Homebuyers increasingly value predictable commutes. Areas like Madhavaram, Poonamallee, Porur, Adyar, OMR, and Sholinganallur may see increased attention as Phase 2 develops — but always check the exact station alignment rather than a developer’s “near Chennai Metro” claim. 02 Property values Improved accessibility can support value growth over time, but the effect is strongest when metro access is combined with good roads, schools, hospitals, and social infrastructure. Metro access should be read as a possible location advantage, not a guarantee of appreciation. 03 Rental demand Rental demand often shifts before resale prices do, as professionals and students prioritise shorter commutes. Investors should compare current rents against total purchase price, maintenance, property tax, vacancy periods, and loan costs — not just the metro proximity. 04 Commercial growth CMRL has planned retail and public spaces at several underground Phase 2 stations — including Chetpet, Royapettah, Nungambakkam, Alwarpet, and Nandanam — which may encourage station-led commercial activity and footfall for nearby businesses. Often Overlooked How close is “near,” really? STATION ~500m Strongest impact zone — typically a 5–7 minute walk, the range most consistently linked to convenience-driven demand. ~500m–1km Moderate impact — still walkable for many, but convenience drops and other factors matter more. 1km+ “Near metro” marketing often stretches into this range — verify actual walking route and time, not straight-line distance. In large gated communities especially, the walk from your specific block to the main gate can matter as much as the distance from the gate to the station — a detail easy to miss on a brochure map. A Useful Precedent What Phase 1 suggests, cautiously Chennai’s operational Phase I corridor — including stations like Alandur, Koyambedu, Vadapalani, and Guindy — has been running since the mid-2010s, and the areas around several of these stations have seen continued commercial activity and steady residential interest in the years since. That history is a reasonable, if imperfect, guide to what well-connected, well-serviced Phase 2 station areas might experience once they’re fully operational — but it isn’t a guarantee, and each station’s outcome still depends on the same local factors: roads, drainage, schools, and employment growth nearby. Before You Buy Important risks for property buyers Metro construction may temporarily create dust, noise, traffic diversions, vibration, and access problems. Some properties may also be affected by road widening, land acquisition, or utility shifting — official project documents identify construction and land-related impacts in parts of Phase 2. Buyers should also be cautious about properties tied to announced or proposed stations, since a planned station can be delayed, relocated, or changed during construction. The safest approach is to verify current information through official CMRL documents and notices. FACTOR WHY IT MATTERS Exact station distance A straight-line distance may not reflect actual walking or travel time. Metro project status Operational, under-construction, and proposed stations carry different levels of risk. Legal approvals & title Clear documents matter more than a metro-related marketing claim. Flooding & drainage Check past waterlogging history and storm-water arrangements. Construction impact Access, privacy, frontage, and noise may change during nearby construction. Rental demand Current rent, vacancy, and competing new supply should be studied directly. Neighbourhood facilities Schools, hospitals, shops, and roads shape the long-term usefulness of a property. Before You Commit The metro-adjacent buyer’s checklist Checklist 0 / 7 Checked the exact station location and real walking time, not straight-line distance. Confirmed whether the nearest station is operational, under construction, or only proposed. Verified title, approvals, and documentation independently of any

NRI Land Guide Can an NRI buy land in India? What NRIs and OCI cardholders can buy, what stays restricted, and what to verify before signing. The short answer is yes — but the word “land” matters more than most people realise. The short answer Under India’s foreign exchange rules, an NRI can usually purchase residential or commercial property, including an eligible non-agricultural plot, without prior RBI permission. The key issue is the property’s legal classification, not simply whether the parcel is vacant. Start Here What can you actually buy? Tap a property type to see its general status. This is a starting reference, not a verdict on any specific property — always confirm classification against official land records. RESIDENTIAL HOUSE  / FLAT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY NON-AGRICULTURAL PLOT AGRICULTURAL LAND PLANTATION  / FARMHOUSE PERMITTED Residential house or flat No general RBI permission is normally required for purchase. PROPERTY TYPE GENERALLY PERMITTED? FIELD NOTE Residential house or flat YES No general RBI permission is normally required. Commercial property YES Local zoning and municipal rules still apply. Non-agricultural plot USUALLY YES Confirm land-use classification and state restrictions. Agricultural land GENERALLY NO Not permitted under the general purchase route. Plantation property or farmhouse GENERALLY NO Specifically excluded from the general permission. This table is a first-pass filter. State land laws can add restrictions, so a category that’s generally permitted under foreign exchange rules is not automatically a cleared transaction. Often Missed OCI cardholders follow the same rules Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders generally have the same property acquisition rights as NRIs — they can buy residential and commercial property, but are equally restricted from purchasing agricultural land, plantation property, or farmhouses. This applies regardless of where the purchase funds originate, and the general FEMA framework treats NRIs and OCIs consistently on this point. A Different Route Inheritance and gifts are treated differently from purchase Inheritance An NRI or OCI may inherit agricultural land, subject to applicable FEMA and heirship conditions. This does not create a general right to buy agricultural land — it should be reviewed separately with a lawyer, since the source of title and the status of the previous owner matter. Gift from a resident relative Agricultural land, plantation property, or a farmhouse may also be received as a gift from a person resident in India, following FEMA’s gifting conditions. This is a distinct legal route from a direct purchase, and the gifting process itself must be documented correctly. The Paperwork Trail Payment, tax, and TDS Payment should normally be made through inward remittance from outside India or funds held in an eligible Indian bank account — NRE, NRO, or FCNR(B) — through normal banking channels. Cash payments and informal settlement arrangements create serious documentation and tax risks. Funds abroad → NRE  /  NRO  /  FCNR(B) account → Registered banking channel → Property purchase TDS on purchase If the seller is an Indian resident and the property isn’t rural agricultural land, the buyer generally deducts 1% TDS when the sale consideration or stamp-duty value — whichever is higher — is ₹50 lakh or more. Non-resident sellers If the seller is non-resident, Section 195 generally applies instead, with different rates and compliance steps — professional tax guidance is important here. Keep the remittance advice, bank statements, payment receipts, agreement, and registered sale deed together — these records may be needed later for tax reporting, resale, or repatriation of proceeds. Selling Later Repatriation of sale proceeds If the property is later sold, sending the proceeds outside India is subject to FEMA conditions, tax clearance, banking documentation, and applicable remittance limits. The exact amount depends on how the property was originally funded: Funded via NRE / foreign remittance Sale proceeds, up to the original investment amount, can generally be repatriated more freely, subject to tax clearance and current banking rules. Funded via NRO account Repatriation of funds and profits from an NRO account is generally capped — commonly cited around USD 1 million per financial year — and requires tax clearance. What Could Go Wrong Repatriation of sale proceeds The most common real-world trap: a plot on the outskirts of a city is often marketed as a “residential plot” while still being classified as agricultural in the underlying land records — patta and chitta documents in Tamil Nadu, or equivalent revenue records elsewhere. A broker’s description isn’t proof; only the government record is. Penalties for violations can be severe. Purchasing agricultural land in breach of FEMA is treated as a serious foreign exchange contravention. Public legal guidance commonly cites penalties of up to three times the transaction value, alongside the risk of the property itself being confiscated — this is a civil enforcement framework (not criminal), but the financial exposure is real. Confirm current penalty provisions with a qualified professional before proceeding with any borderline transaction. Indian states may also regulate who can buy land, whether a person must be a resident or agriculturist, how much agricultural land one person may hold, and whether a parcel may be converted from agricultural to non-agricultural use. A small number of states have reportedly discussed easing NRI agricultural-land rules, but as of this guide’s update, no such changes have taken broad effect — treat any claim of a state-level exception with caution until verified against the current, official position. Buying Remotely A note on power of attorney An NRI may buy through a properly executed power of attorney, but a power of attorney does not make an otherwise prohibited agricultural-land purchase legal. The document should identify the property precisely, define the agent’s authority, and be executed, stamped, notarised, or authenticated in the manner required for use in India — a consulate or embassy process may be relevant when the document is signed abroad. The sale deed should still be registered in India, and the title, encumbrances, approvals, land classification, and seller’s ownership should be independently verified. A general or outdated power of attorney is not a substitute for transaction-specific authority and legal review. The Field Checklist0 Classify, verify,

Home Planning Guide · 2026 Vastu for home: a practical, balanced guide for Tamil Nadu homes A home should be comfortable, safe, well-ventilated, and suited to the way your family lives.  For many homeowners in Chennai and across Tamil Nadu, Vastu for home is also an important  consideration while choosing a plot, planning a house, or arranging furniture. This guide  brings together traditional Vastu ideas alongside practical, climate-aware advice — treated  as a helpful starting point, not a substitute for professional guidance. EARTH (PRITHVI) WATER (JAL) FIRE (AGNI) AIR (VAYU) SPACE (AKASHA) Worth knowing upfront: Vastu is a personal and cultural choice, rooted in tradition rather  than engineering. It should complement — never replace — professional architectural,  structural, electrical, plumbing, and building-code advice. The Basics What is Vastu for home? Vastu for home is a traditional approach to residential planning that considers orientation, room placement, circulation, openings, and the relationship between different zones of a house. Publicly available home-planning guides commonly discuss the direction of the entrance, room shapes, kitchen placement, bedroom location, natural light, and interior arrangement. In practice, homeowners often search for Vastu tips based on the direction of the plot or entrance, the size of the home, and the type of property — which is why queries like “north-facing house Vastu,” “Vastu for a 2 BHK flat,” and “Vastu house plan in Chennai” are common starting points for planning. Interactive Reference The direction wheel Traditional Vastu guidance associates each direction with a zone of the home. Tap a direction below to see what’s commonly suggested — treat this as a reference point for discussion with your architect, not a fixed rule. NORTH NE EAST SE SOUTH SW WEST NW HOME TAP A DIRECTION Choose a zone on the wheel Each direction shows what traditional Vastu guides commonly associate with that zone of a home, plus a practical note. Reference only — always combine with structural, legal, and climate review. Room by Room Practical Vastu tips for every part of the home 01 Plot & orientation Study the plot’s shape, road access, slope, drainage, sunlight, and ventilation before finalising a plan. A square or rectangular plot is commonly preferred in traditional discussions, but local regulations, soil conditions, and setbacks matter just as much. 02 Main entrance Keep the entrance well-lit, clean, clearly visible, and free from clutter. Consider the exact direction and position within the wall — not just whether it’s labelled east- or north-facing. 03 Living room Support natural movement, seating, daylight, and ventilation. In a compact apartment, use movable furniture, wall-mounted storage, and lighter colours to make the room feel more open. 04 Kitchen Often associated with the southeast in traditional guides. Regardless of direction, prioritise adequate exhaust, safe electrical points, a logical work triangle, and safe gas-cylinder storage. 05 Master bedroom Often placed in the southwest in Vastu-based plans. More important day to day: the bed’s position, privacy, airflow, and freedom from hazards above or around the bed. 06 Pooja room Choose a clean, quiet, well-ventilated spot, away from moisture or cooking smoke. In a small apartment, a well-designed niche or wall-mounted unit works just as well as a separate room. 07 Bathroom & toilet Design around privacy, ventilation, drainage, and waterproofing first. Use a non-slip flooring and proper drainage slope — these decisions matter regardless of the chosen Vastu framework. 08 Colours Light neutrals can make a small room feel more open; muted greens, blues, and earth tones create a relaxed atmosphere. In Tamil Nadu’s climate, prioritise washable finishes that handle humidity and dust. 09 Light & ventilation Keep windows unobstructed and plan cross-ventilation on suitable sides of the home. This matters especially in Chennai, where good airflow directly improves daily comfort. 10 Apartments & small homes You usually can’t change the entrance or structural walls. Focus on furniture placement, decluttering, lighting, and safe circulation instead — a simple room-by-room checklist helps. 11 New construction Discuss Vastu preferences with your architect before drawings are finalised — alongside planning permissions, setbacks, drainage, soil reports, and construction quality. 12 Remedies without demolition Start with decluttering, fixing leaks, improving lighting, and rearranging furniture. Never alter structural walls, electrical systems, or plumbing based on unverified advice. Worth Remembering What to prioritise, in order When Vastu preferences and practical constraints seem to conflict, this is the order that protects your home, your budget, and your family: 1 Legal & safety first Clear title, approvals, structural soundness, electrical and fire safety are non-negotiable — no Vastu preference should override these. 2 Climate & engineering second Ventilation, drainage, sun exposure, and structural design suited to Chennai’s heat and monsoon patterns should shape the plan before directional preferences do. 3 Budget & family needs third A layout that fits how your family actually lives — and what you can actually afford — matters more than achieving every traditional ideal. 4 Vastu preference last Once the above are settled, use Vastu guidance to inform choices within those constraints — room arrangement, furniture placement, colours — rather than as the deciding factor. Worth a Second Thought Common Vastu myths MYTH Vastu defects can only be fixed by demolition Most homes have non-structural remedies available — furniture rearrangement, lighting, colour, decluttering. Demolition or altering load-bearing walls should only ever follow professional structural advice, not fear-based pressure. MYTH A north- or east-facing plot is always worth more Facing direction is one of many factors in property value — location, approvals, road width, and neighbourhood infrastructure typically matter more in practice. REALITY Vastu is a belief system, not a guarantee Many families find value in Vastu as a cultural and personal practice. It isn’t a substitute for due diligence on title, approvals, and construction quality — a “Vastu-compliant” label alone doesn’t verify a home is legally or structurally sound. REALITY Some Vastu advice overlaps with good building practice Recommendations around ventilation, natural light, and avoiding cluttered entrances often align with sound design principles for entirely practical reasons — independent of the traditional framework behind them. A Common