Quality Concerns Force Demolition at Rs 118-Crore Chennai Housing Project

A possible tragedy has been averted in Chennai after the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) detected serious quality lapses in its Rs 118-crore housing project at Andimaniyam Thottam near Mandaveli. The project, aimed at redeveloping informal settlements under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), was being executed using pre-fabricated concrete technology.

Officials said the contractor had already completed around 20%–25% of the work when TNUHDB engineers noticed deficiencies in the quality of pre-fabricated components. Following a detailed inspection, the board ordered the demolition of all four partially built blocks to prevent future risks to residents. The board’s swift intervention is seen as a proactive step to ensure construction safety and quality standards in government housing projects.

“The issues were identified early at the ground-floor stage itself, and immediate corrective action was taken,” a senior official from TNUHDB confirmed. “Had the construction continued, it could have endangered future occupants.” The board emphasized that Tamil Nadu’s housing development goals would not compromise on quality or safety under any circumstance.

The contractor, Ramalingam Constructions, which bagged the project in 2023, has now been instructed to switch to conventional construction methods. In addition, the firm has been penalised Rs 2,000 per day for project delays, as only 15% of work had been completed against the scheduled 45%. Officials also noted that discussions are underway to determine whether the financial losses incurred due to demolition will be recovered from the contractor and if blacklisting measures are necessary.

The Andimaniyam Thottam redevelopment project, covering a total built-up area of 29,289 sq. m, involves the construction of 702 residential units, with two blocks designed to have stilt plus 13 floors. It is part of the state’s larger goal to make Tamil Nadu slum-free by providing safe and affordable housing for the urban poor.

While work at the site remains suspended, TNUHDB officials assured that reconstruction will resume soon using approved conventional methods to uphold the board’s commitment to structural integrity and public safety.