Chennai Construction Workers Urge Government to Allot Housing Within City Limits

Chennai’s construction workforce, which plays a vital role in shaping the city’s skyline and infrastructure, is once again highlighting a long-pending issue: the lack of affordable housing within city limits. Despite years of work across major construction sites and repeated appeals to authorities, many workers continue to remain without permanent shelter in the city they help build.

A recent representation submitted by the Nirman Mazdoor Panchayat Sangam has urged the Tamil Nadu government to allot houses within Chennai for registered construction workers. The union pointed out that 21 homeless members registered with the Tamil Nadu Construction Workers’ Welfare Board are yet to receive housing, even though they have met eligibility criteria under existing welfare schemes.

According to the union, workers were informed that housing could be provided only in neighbouring districts due to the non-availability of options within Chennai. However, the union warned that relocating workers outside the city would directly affect their livelihoods, as construction employment depends heavily on proximity to work sites and the ability to secure daily jobs at short notice.

The Welfare Board’s housing assistance scheme, which provides ₹4 lakh per beneficiary, has been widely implemented in rural areas and is often cited as a successful model by other States. In contrast, construction workers living and working in Chennai continue to face exclusion, primarily due to land constraints and planning challenges within the city.

Several workers shared personal experiences to underline the issue. Venkatesh, a resident of Villivakkam, said most of his work opportunities are concentrated in areas such as Padi and Ambattur. While commuting to nearby suburbs may still be possible, relocation to far-off locations would make steady employment difficult. Having suffered a leg injury in 2022, he added that long-distance travel would further affect his ability to work. Lalitha, a construction worker from Tondiarpet with over two decades of experience, said moving outside North Chennai would significantly increase travel expenses and leave little time for household responsibilities.

The union has proposed allotting houses through the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board in locations such as N.N. Nagar in Chintadripet, Santhosh Nagar in Egmore, Moorthingar Nagar in Vyasarpadi, Royapuram, and Moolakothalam. It also noted that beneficiaries are willing to pay the remaining cost in instalments beyond the ₹4 lakh assistance.

Union secretary R. Geetha said providing housing within the city, without displacing workers from their work zones, would offer stability and dignity to a workforce that continues to support Chennai’s growth through physically demanding labour.