Perungalathur

Perungalathur
Neighbourhood
Irumbuliyur flyover
Perungalathur Location in Chennai Metropolitan Area Show map of Chennai Perungalathur Location in Tamil Nadu Show map of Tamil Nadu Perungalathur Location in India Show map of India
Coordinates: 12.9051°N 80.0948°E / 12.9051; 80.0948
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
Metro	Chennai Metropolitan Area
District	Chengalpattu
City	Tambaram, Chennai City
Government
• MP	T.R. Baalu (DMK)
• MLA	S.R. Raja (DMK)
• Corporation Commissioner	R. Alagumeena IAS
• Mayor	K. Vasanthakumari (DMK)
• Deputy Mayor	G. Kamaraj (DMK)
Area
• Total	2.95 km^2 (1.14 sq mi)
Population  (2011)
• Total	37,987
• Density	13,000/km^2 (33,000/sq mi)
Languages [1]
• Official	Tamil
• Additional official	English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PINs	600063
Area code	+91-044
Vehicle Registration	TN 11
Law enforcement agency	Tambaram City Police
Urban planning agency	Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority

Perungalathur (Tamil: [peɾɯŋɡaɭattuːɾ]) is a neighborhood in the city of Tambaram, South Chennai, situated within the Chennai Metropolitan Area, Tamil Nadu, India.

Formerly a Town Panchayat,it was merged into the Tambaram City Municipal Corporation in November 2021.^[2] Ancient Shiva Temple, located in Perungulathur is about 800 years old. The Kamatchi Amman Temple and Aadhi Karaneeswarar Temple are also popular.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[3] Perungulathur had a population of 50,000 (it is close to 50,000 as of Nov 2006). Males constitute 41% of the population and females 59%. Perungulathur has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 79%. In Perungulathur, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Location

Perungulathur is located on NH45 highway between Tambaram and Vandalur. Perungulathur and Peerkankaranai are neighbourhoods which share and complement much of their resources and infrastructures alike. It is well connected by rail and road links.^[4]

Transportation

The proximity of Tambaram railway junction and Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur has given Perungalathur good connectivity with places like Chennai, Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram. Industrial estates like Guindy, Maraimalai Nagar, Padappai, Oragadam and Sriperumbudur are easily accessible via road or rail. Residents of adjoining areas like Peerkankaranai, Sadanandhapuram, Old Perungulathur Annai Indra Nagar and RMK Nagar avail transport facilities from Perungulathur. Perungulathur is the hub for most of tourist bus operators and many have offices opposite to first railway gate. All MTC buses towards Vandalur passes through Perungulathur.^[5]

Perungulathur railway station is about 30 km from Chennai Central. Southern Railway is currently renovating and expanding the station, including extension of platforms. The two existing platforms were laid during the British era when most trains had nine compartments and are now being extended to accommodate 12-car trains. Currently, over 10,000 commuters use the station daily. All 84 suburban trains halting at the station have 12 compartments. A new rail line exclusively for express trains is also planned.^[6]

Lakes

The town has two lakes, one in Peerkankaranai, adjacent to NH-45 and another Perungulathur lake behind the Vedanta Desika Srinivasa Perumal Temple. Much of Peerkankaranai Lake was filled during the widening of NH-45 highway and the remaining area is shrinking due to dumping of solid wastes and encroachments. Perungulathur Lake, spread over an area of 55 acres,^[7] gives the name to this town meaning "A Place with Big pond" (Perum – Kulam – Urr).^[8]

References

1. "52nd report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India (July 2014 to June 2015)" (PDF). Ministry of Minority Affairs (Government of India). 29 March 2016. p. 132. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017.
2. "Tambaram becomes the 20th municipal corporation of Tamil Nadu, Ordinance promulgated". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
3. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
4. "Train Timings from / to Perungalathur". Southern Railways. Archived from the original on 3 February 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
5. "Stage wise Info from / to Perungalathur". MTC Chennai.
6. Madhavan, D. (2 January 2012). "Perungalathur railway stn in makeover mode". The Times of India epaper. Chennai: The Times Group. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
7. Madhavan, T. (3 August 2017). "Perungalathur lake to get a facelift". The Hindu. Chennai: Kasturi & Sons. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
8. "More inscriptions from the Tambaram area". Madras Christian College Magazine, Vol. 44, 1975.