representative image Chennai: A recent study conducted by Arappor Iyakkam, a citizen-led organization, exposed the deplorable living conditions of eight people Tamil Nadu Urban Housing Development Board ,TNUHDB) Houses all over Chennai.
The study, which involved more than 50 volunteers, highlighted issues ranging from poor construction and lack of infrastructure to social problems such as drug abuse among youth.
studies covered TNUHDB Tenements In Perumbakkam, Semmencheri, Kannagi Nagar, Navalur, Tiruvottiyur, KP Park and Thidir Nagar. Residents complained of frequent power cuts, unsafe wiring, broken lifts and poor waste management. Water scarcity is a major issue in Perumbakkam, where water is supplied only for one hour every three days.
The survey found rampant cases of drug abuse among youth in Kannagi Nagar, Ezhil Nagar, Perumbakkam and Semmenchery, which increased due to lack of CCTV cameras. Residents of Kannagi Nagar and Ezhil Nagar also demanded more Anganwadi centers to help young children.
“There are many common issues in these housing boards. Residents do not have access to basic amenities like running water and proper sewage systems,” said Jairam Venkatesan, convenor of Arappor Iyakkam. The report highlights poor construction quality in KP Park and Kannagi Nagar. “The materials used, including pipes and plaster, are of poor quality, indicating corruption and maladministration,” Venkatesan said.
Thousands of families were shifted away from their original residence and livelihood to areas like Kannagi Nagar and Semmenchery. Due to this, the burden of commuting on them increased considerably. Although the government provides free bus services for women, residents say the services are inadequate to meet their needs.
The study recommends setting up a transparent and trackable grievance redressal mechanism for residents to report issues. M. Radhakrishnan, a volunteer, said, “The current response from the authorities is extremely poor. There is also a shortage of manpower within the TNUHDB, which needs immediate attention.”
