MADURAI: Once vibrant residential hubs, several Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) complexes in Madurai are now in a state of neglect, posing serious safety risks. The decades-old structures at Race Course Colony, Chokkikulam, DRO Colony, and Pykara—built between 1964 and 1987—are crumbling due to poor maintenance, forcing many residents to vacate.
Most houses in these TNHB complexes are occupied by government officials and journalists. Those remaining say their lives are at risk. “Two days ago, the ceiling collapsed in the room where we usually sleep. Fortunately, my daughters slept in the hall that night,” said Kavitha Kumar, a resident of Race Course Colony. Complaints to TNHB officials, however, have yielded little response. “Last week, pieces of concrete fell on my wife while she was working in the kitchen,” added Kumar.
Beyond structural decay, residents also face severe drainage problems. “Despite multiple complaints, officials claim there are no funds. We pay rent but live in constant fear of a roof collapse,” said Santhana Mari, another tenant. “If proper maintenance had been done, reconstruction wouldn’t be necessary.” Many balconies and parapet walls are broken, adding to the risk.
Safety concerns extend beyond the buildings. With no streetlights, residents fear using the roads after dark, as abandoned blocks have become hotspots for illegal activities.
According to TNHB officials, 260 out of 640 houses in Race Course Colony have been declared unfit for living. In DRO Colony, 531 of 1,232 houses are unsafe, while all 440 houses in Pykara have been deemed uninhabitable. A senior TNHB official said, “We have already demolished the Pykara complex and are awaiting funds for reconstruction. The other complexes are also old, and we cannot spend crores on maintenance.” The last major repair was done in 2016. With complaints increasing and most buildings over 35 years old, it is recommended to demolish and construct new ones, added the official.
