| Perungalathur | |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  India |
| Subdivision Type3: | District |
| Subdivision Name3: | Chengalpattu |
| Subdivision Type2: | Metro |
| Subdivision Name1: | Tamil Nadu |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Coordinates: | 12.9051°N 80.0948°W |
| Pushpin Label Position: | right |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Chennai Metropolitan Area##Location in Tamil Nadu##Location in India |
| Pushpin Mapsize: | 300 |
| Pushpin Map: | India Chennai#Tamil Nadu#India |
| Settlement Type: | Neighbourhood |
| Area Code: | +91-044 |
| Population Total: | 37987 |
| Postal Code: | 600063 |
| Postal Code Type: | PINs |
| Utc Offset: | +5:30 |
| Timezone1: | IST |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Area Total Km2: | 2.95 |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Leader Title: | MP |
| Leader Name: | T.R. Baalu (DMK) |
| Leader Title1: | MLA |
| Leader Name1: | S.R. Raja (DMK) |
| Leader Title2: | Corporation Commissioner |
| Leader Title3: | Mayor |
| Leader Name3: | K. Vasanthakumari (DMK) |
| Leader Title4: | Deputy Mayor |
| Leader Name4: | G. Kamaraj (DMK) |
| Registration Plate: | TN 11 |
| Registration Plate Type: | Vehicle Registration |
| Demographics Type1: | Languages |
| Demographics1 Footnotes: | [1] |
| Demographics1 Title1: | Official |
| Demographics1 Info1: | Tamil |
| Demographics1 Title2: | Additional official |
| Demographics1 Info2: | English |
| Subdivision Type4: | City |
| Subdivision Name4: | Tambaram, Chennai City |
| Leader Name2: | R. Alagumeena IAS |
| Blank Info Sec1: | Tambaram City Police |
| Blank Name Sec1: | Law enforcement agency |
| Blank1 Name Sec1: | Urban planning agency |
| Blank1 Info Sec1: | Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority |
Perungalathur (in 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.
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.
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]
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]
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]