Vandalur

Census town in Chennai Metropolitan Area

Vandalur is a census town and taluk headquarters in the Chengalpattu district lying south of the metropolitan city of Chennai, India. Vandalur serves as the southern gateway to Chennai city. It has the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, which contain some rare species of wild flora and fauna. The town is served by Vandalur railway station of the Chennai Suburban Railway network.

As per 2011 census, Vandalur had total population of 16,852. Males constitute 49.9% of the population and females 50%. Vandalur has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 72%. In Vandalur, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Vandalur is a residential area in Chennai City region approximately 6 km to the south of Tambaram. It is adjacent to the neighbourhoods of Peerkankaranai, Perungalathur, Mudichur, Guduvancheri and Mannivakkam.

The nearest train station is Vandalur Railway Station on the Chennai Suburban Railway line. The proposed Chennai monorail project envisages two lines from Vandalur Vandalur to Puzhal and Vandalur to Velachery.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park located here also known as Vandalur Zoo. The Park was the first public zoo in India. Vandalur Zoo is originally created in 1855 near Park Town, Chennai City. Later in 1875, this zoo had expanded and moved out of the city. In 1979, the Tamil Nadu Forest department moved this zoo to Vandalur reserve forest covering an area of 1300 acres. This zoo was inaugurated in year 1985 and it's one of the largest in South Asia. There are totally 81 enclosures. More than 170 species of mammals, aviaries and reptiles are exhibited in the zoo.

Vandalur hill is part of Arignar Anna Zoological Park and public entry to the hill is restricted. The hilltop provides a good view of the OMR and Mannivakam. The Tamil Nadu Forest department has a sapling center under the foothill of Vandalur hill. The run has a total ascent of 274.99 ft and has a maximum elevation of 484.97 ft.

This flyover will replace the level crossing near Vandalur railway station. The Rs. 46.78 crore flyover on the Vandalur Walajabad Road was inaugurated January 27, 2012. The 1.48 km long flyover will replace a level crossing near the Vandalur railway station.