Tamil Nadu to Rebuild Ageing Tenements at 20 Sites in 2026-27

A phased rebuilding plan for ageing tenements will cover 20 locations in the State during 2026-27, with existing structures to be demolished and replaced by new housing units at the same sites.

The Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) has identified 70 sites for reconstruction in all, which will be taken up in phases. Residents will be able to return after the reconstruction work is completed.

TNUHDB Chairperson Ku. Pa. Krishnan outlined the plan during an interaction with journalists on Friday. The Board has also appealed to residents of 23 dilapidated sites to temporarily vacate their houses because of the ongoing northeast monsoon.

Safety concerns at 23 tenements

Of the 23 tenements named in the Board’s safety advisory, 14 are among the locations proposed for reconstruction during 2026-27. A Government Order for those projects is to be issued in the coming week.

The remaining nine sites have been additionally prioritised for safety during the monsoon because of their dilapidated condition. The 23 tenements include Srinivasapuram, V.O.C. Nagar, Old Block Vyasarpadi, Nagooran Thottam, Annathai Kuppam, Nallankuppam (Old), N.V.N. Nagar (Phase-II), West Cemetery Road, Pallakumaniyam, Kabali Thottam and Rukmani Nagar.

Mr. Krishnan said the Board was willing to reconstruct structurally weak buildings, but residents’ cooperation in vacating the premises was essential. He cited Srinivasapuram, where tenements constructed in the 1970s had deteriorated over the years.

The Board was ready to rebuild the houses at Srinivasapuram and hand them back to the residents, he said. The appeal to vacate the buildings is therefore linked both to the immediate safety advisory during the monsoon and to the proposed reconstruction work.

Greenfield sites at Perambur and Madurantakam

TNUHDB also plans to develop two new greenfield settlement sites, one in Perambur and the other in Madurantakam. Mullai Nagar has been identified as the location for the Perambur project.

The two projects are expected to have over 450 housing units. Ramana Saraswathi, Managing Director, TNUHDB, said a G.O. would be issued in the coming weeks.

The proposed buildings will have a ground-plus-six-floor design. They are intended for eligible families living on vulnerable and objectionable poromboke land, including flood-prone areas that lack basic infrastructure.

Review of housing projects in Dindigul

Mr. Krishnan also spoke about infrastructure challenges at two housing projects taken up during the previous DMK government in Dindigul district. At Oddanchatram, 480 housing units were constructed at a cost of ₹66.23 crore.

“The Board is now spending an additional ₹7.14 crore to provide drinking water connectivity to the site. Nearly 90% of the work is over. But the site has poor road connectivity. We will have to look at the other amenities required to make such locations liveable,” he said.

A similar situation prevails at Keeranur in Dindigul district, where 432 houses were constructed at a cost of ₹57.04 crore, Mr. Krishnan said.

“Such housing projects across the State would be reviewed to assess their location, infrastructure facilities and suitability for habitation. Action will be initiated if any irregularities are found,” he said.

Source: The Hindu