Geography and Climate

12. Linkage and connectivity. Madurai is well connected by Rail, Road and Air to all major
cities of the state and the country. Madurai is a major rail junction located on
ChennaiKanyakumari Rail line. National Highways NH 7 and NH 49 pass through the center of
the city. The area and linkages of Madurai is presented in Figures 2.1 & 2.2.
13. Physical and Geographical Characteristics. The City has grown on both sides of river
Vaigai and its terrain is mostly flat. The ground rises from the city, towards outward, on all sides
except the south, which is a gradually sloping terrain. It is surrounded on the outskirts by small
and prominent hills viz. Anaimalai, Nagamalai, Pasumalai and Sikandearmalai. The city is about
100 mts above mean sea level. The City is situated on 9 0 55 north latitude and 780 7 east
longitude.
14. The major groups of soil that are found in Madurai and its environs are the black and red
variety. Karisal, Sheval and vandal are the soil types found in its surroundings. Ground water in
the corporation varies between a depth range of 61 to 91 m. Presently, the average water table
is reported at approximately 76 m below ground level.
15. Climate and Rainfall. The climate of Madurai town is hot and dry and the temperature
range between a maximum and minimum of 42 0 C and 21 0 C respectively. April and May are
the hottest months. Rainfall is irregular and intermittent, with an average of approximately 85 cm
per annum. The wind blows from northeast direction during January February, and from
southwest direction during May to July.
The total floating population of Madurai is estimated at 2,10,000 visitors per day.
92. Growth Trend towards North. Major development activities are noticed towards the Northern
side within Corporation limits, along Alagarkoil Road and Puddur/Mellur Road, attributed to the
development of High Court and Major Bus Stand (Mattuthavani Bus Stand). New and Upmarket
residential development is noticed along Mellur Road and along Natham Road. In the southern
side, low intensity development is noticed along Theni Road, and areas beyond the By-Pass
Road, and also along road to Theyagaraja Enggineering College. Newly developing commercial
area are noticed, in North Central Areas, along the Alagarkoil Road Main road.
93. Growth Trend towards South. The newly developed neighborhoods, such as Alagappan
Nagar, Shenoy Nagar, West Ponnagaram extension, TVS Nagar, Anna Nagar and KK nagar, are
well planned with open spaces and low density. The commercial hub of the City and the region
is the Core City, with high density of shopping and commercial establishments.

The presence of floating population and the commercial establishments located in and around
the Core City area. Major constraint noticed here is rapid conversion to mixed landuse and lack
of open spaces,
One of the major deviations with respect the Master Plan, 1994, is the growth of the City
towards Northern region, along Mellur Road and Alagarkoil Road, at a faster pace as compared
to the Southern Region, along the Thirunelveli Road and Airport Road. Investigation have
revealed that major constriant to growth in the south is Poor quality and Inadequate availability
of ground water in the Souther region along the Airport Road. Also the growth is facilitated by
precense of institutional, government (High Court) and service facilities (Mattuthavani Bus
Stand) towards the North.
Parking Demand. Land Use and Economic Activities in the City drive the Parking demand in
the City. Here, the City is a major regional center for Trade and Commerce in southern Tamil
Nadu and also an important Tourist Location in International and National Tourist Map, which
drives the heavy influx of Floating Population. Consequently, heavy movement of Vehicular
Traffic has increased congestion and induced Parking demand within the ULB area.