Tamil Nadu: TAHDCO Begins Construction of 44 Homes for Irula Tribal Families in Sriperumbudur’s Mannur

Sriperumbudur- After weeks of uncertainty and distress, the construction of permanent homes for Irula tribal families in Sriperumbudur has finally begun. The Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation (TAHDCO) commenced work on the project on April 16, marking a significant victory for the marginalized community, which had been living in constant fear of eviction, floods, and snake bites.

For generations, the Irula tribal families in Sriperumbudur, have lived on the fringes of society—both literally and figuratively.

Nestled along water bodies in makeshift 10x10 thatched huts, these families battled the absence of basic amenities like electricity, roads, and clean drinking water.

Irulas are one of the 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in India. In the Northern Parts of Tamil Nadu, Irulas are in a considerable number.

Despite government schemes meant for tribal welfare, they remained trapped in an unending cycle of neglect and deprivation.

"Following the confirmation from the Government that houses will be built by TAHDCO for the 82 Irula Tribal Families of Sriperumbudur, the Ground Breaking Ceremony happened at one of the Rehabilitation Sites at Mannur where 44 Houses are to be built.

The Ground Breaking Ceremony happened on 16 April at Mannur. Officials from the Tribal Welfare Department of Tamilnadu and representatives from the Sriperumbudur Irular People Welfare Association were present during the Ground Breaking Ceremony" SuryaMohan K, a volunteer from ARAN, an organisation working for the welfare of Irula families told The Mooknayak.

The people are hopeful that they will soon be living in good houses without the fear of floods; without the fear of snakes; without the fear of eviction.

The Shock and Rekindled Hope

On March 27, 2025, the Sriperumbudur Block Development Office informed the families that they would have to construct their own houses under the PM-JANMAN scheme, despite earlier assurances of government-built homes. The directive left the impoverished and largely illiterate community in shock, as they lacked the financial means, construction expertise, and logistical support to undertake such a massive task.

Kavitha Thandhoni, representing the affected families, escalated the matter to Annadurai C.L.S., the Tribal Welfare Director of Tamil Nadu. She highlighted the impracticality of expecting daily wage laborers—many of whom lack formal identification, banking access, and even basic literacy—to manage construction independently. "Our people were given land pattas but no way to build on them. How could they arrange materials, hire labor, or oversee construction when they struggle just to feed their families?" she asked.

Following the appeal, the Tribal Welfare Directorate initiated urgent discussions with TAHDCO, a state-run agency specializing in housing for marginalized communities. On April 4, Kavitha and a delegation of Irula tribal representatives met with Director Annadurai, who assured them that TAHDCO would now handle the construction entirely.