Happy TravellerWelcome to Perungudi, a bustling neighbourhood located in the southern part of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Situated just 10 kilometres south of Adyar, Perungudi is bordered by the Old Mahabalipuram Road and the Perungudi lake, making it a prime location for both residential and commercial activities. The suburb is situated on the Old Mahabalipuram IT Expressway, right in the middle of an Information Technology (IT) Estate, making it a preferred residential locality for software engineers. Despite its significant growth, Perungudi lacks basic civic amenities such as underground storm and waste drainage system, piped potable water, and good roads. However, this region has gained more importance owing to its location on the IT highway and proximity to city neighbourhoods like Palavakkam, Thiruvanmiyur, Adyar, and Velachery.
Perungudi has an average elevation of 9 metres (29 feet) and is located at 12.97°N 80.25°E / 12.97; 80.25. As of 2018, the Perungudi zone had the lowest green cover estimate at 5.31 percent, as against the city’s 14.9 percent average. As of 2001 India census, Perungudi had a population of 23,481, with males constituting 53% of the population and females 47%. Perungudi has an average literacy rate of 72%, higher than the national average of 59.5%, with male literacy at 77% and female literacy at 65%. In Perungudi, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Perungudi has developed from a small village to a vibrant and thriving commercial/residential hub after the boom in the Indian IT industry. The World Trade Center Chennai is located here, and IT companies like Amazon, Thanthi TV, and many more are present here. Perungudi had developed an industrial estate in the 90s, but it is still struggling with poor infrastructure for decades despite boasting offices of some of the biggest IT companies in India.
Perungudi houses one of the two major landfills in Chennai, which is constantly in the news for the burning of garbage despite it being banned. The dump yard also spills into the pallikarnai marshland, which is home to a lot of local and migratory birds. The plans to close the dump yard by the corporation have not yet been implemented.
In 2011, Perungudi Town Panchayat was merged with Chennai Corporation. Although the Panchayat presidential elections are nominally held once every five years, no elections were held for a period of 15 years between 1979 and 1994. Later in 1996, an election was conducted. In the 2010s, Perungudi Panchayat came under Chennai Corporation ward 186 (out of 200). The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC from P(pallavan)TC) connects Perungudi to transit points like Saidapet, Adayar, and Tiruvanmiyur. The bus numbers include 19B, 102, and 19A. New Bus services (routes 95, 91, 102K, 221, M119, 519, 570, S95) to Tambaram, Kannagi Nagar, Kelambakkam, Royapettah, Marina, Koyambedu, Velachery have been added. There are plans to start new bus routes to the interior areas of Perungudi; Kamaraj Nagar, Rajiv Nagar, Telephone Nagar, Elim Nagar, etc.
In conclusion, Perungudi is a neighbourhood that has seen significant growth in recent years due to its strategic location. Despite its lack of basic civic amenities, it is a preferred residential locality for software engineers and a thriving commercial hub. With its proximity to other city neighbourhoods and the IT highway, Perungudi is a destination worth exploring for anyone visiting Chennai.
