Anna Nagar

Anna Nagar (formely known as Naduvakkarai), is a neighbourhood in the metropolitan city of Chennai, India. Named after the Tamil leader C. N. Annadurai, it is located in the north-western part of Chennai and forms a part of Egmore-Nungambakkam taluk. It is one of the prime residential areas in Chennai.

Anna Nagar was developed by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board in the early 1970s following the World Trade Fair in the area in 1968. The board developed residential plots, apartments, commercial complexes, wide roads, school zones, bus terminus and large parks.

The roads in Anna Nagar are designed based on matrix structure similar to roads in developed countries in the western world; all the roads are laid parallel and perpendicular to each other. In addition, a standardized naming nomenclature is adopted. In Anna Nagar, 2nd, 4th and 6th Avenues run East-West and 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th Avenues run North South. All the streets are interconnected to these avenues. Anna Nagar is the first township and the only township in Chennai to follow standard addressing system followed in the western world. Areas expanded after the formation of the initial 1970 layouts do not follow the standard nomenclature.

One of the main attractions in Anna Nagar is the Annanagar Tower. Other important landmarks include the Anna Arch, Chinthamani, Blue Star, 14 shops, Thirumangalam junction, Anna Nagar East, and Anna Nagar West bus depot.

Anna Nagar has a number of well established schools and colleges, places of worship, shopping areas with both independent shops and chain stores and numerous restaurants. 2009 also saw the opening of a McDonalds and a KFC outlet, both on the busy 2nd Avenue. There are also a number of mid size hospitals and nursing homes catering to the local population.