After multiple delays, the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) is set to inaugurate a large-scale housing project in Tiruvallur district by December. The initiative will see 1,152 flats across 16 blocks in Poochi Aathipedu village, Uthukottai taluk, coming into use.

Valued at Rs 156 crore, the four-storey development aims to provide affordable housing to economically weaker families in Tiruvallur and Chennai districts. The project was launched in 2019 under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) – Housing for All scheme and was initially expected to be completed within 18 months. However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed construction for nearly two years, with subsequent timeline extensions pushing completion from December 2022 to June 2025, before finally being scheduled for this year.

Each flat costs approximately Rs 13.55 lakh, with the state government contributing Rs 6.5 lakh and the Union government providing Rs 1.5 lakh. Eligible families earning under Rs 3 lakh annually are required to pay the remaining Rs 6.5 lakh. According to TNUHDB officials, around 90% of the work is finished, with only final touches such as painting and the installation of a sewage treatment facility pending.

The project is designed to provide more than just housing. Residents will have access to essential facilities, including a community hall, a primary school, a Primary Health Centre (PHC), two nursery schools, and three ration shops. Applications for the flats were processed through the TNUHDB portal and the Chief Minister’s Special Cell.

Once operational, this project is expected to be a significant milestone in the state government’s efforts to enhance urban living conditions and ensure secure, affordable housing for low-income families across the Chennai-Tiruvallur region.