Chennai's Unsafe Buildings Persist Due to Legal and Bureaucratic Hurdles

In Chennai, a significant number of unsafe buildings continue to stand despite being identified for demolition by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) due to ownership disputes, lack of redevelopment consensus, and bureaucratic delays. In 2025, GCC identified 337 unsafe buildings, including private and government-owned structures. While some have been demolished, many remain, particularly in areas like Anna Nagar, Ambattur Estate Road, and George Town. In Anna Nagar's Shanthi Colony, several buildings over 50 years old still stand, with redevelopment efforts complicated by absentee owners and high construction costs. The latest building rules allow redevelopment with two-thirds owner consent, but implementation is challenging. B Kannan from T Nagar Residents Welfare Association highlights the financial unviability of redevelopment projects in central areas due to high market rates and limited builder interest. The Ambattur Estate Road, a major TN Housing Board corridor, illustrates these challenges, with many buildings still occupied despite structural issues. JMS Nagarjunan, a former secretary of the Tamil Nadu Bank Employees Association, notes the difficulty in reaching consensus among residents, especially with many owners living abroad. According to Tamil Nadu building rules, buildings over 30 years old require regular structural stability certificates, but GCC officials admit to lacking the resources to enforce compliance citywide. Some residents have contested demolition notices in court, claiming their buildings are safe. GCC commissioner G S Sameeran acknowledges the legal entanglements and promises action once disputes are resolved.