Evictions & Displacement in Tamil Nadu
Evictions & Displacement in Chennai
Massive eviction drives were carried out across the city after the 2015 floods in Chennai
There are 82,435 housing units constructed in the various resettlement sites that could accommodate nearly 3.30 lakh displaced residents from the informal and low-income habitations in Chennai. Nearly 67,500 of these housing units (2.69 Lakh displaced residents) are currently occupied. (IRCDUC. 2025)
From eviction to resettlement: A spatial overview
Maps highlighting the settlements evicted from Chennai to various resettlement sites located in the peripheral areas of the city.
An analysis of IRCDUC reveals that 26, 403 vulnerable families residing along the waterways are continuing to face eviction threat in Chennai.
Since May 2025 massive eviction drives have been undertaken by the Government of Tamil Nadu and families continue to face several violations during the eviction process because of lack of legal and policy safeguards.
Evictions carried out without due processess violates the United Nations basic principles and guidelines on development-based displacement and evictions, 2007
Policy Updates
Existing Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy Framework - Tamil Nadu
Resettlement and Rehabilitation Framework, Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB)
Important Court Orders Related to Evictions & Resettlement
Student Collaborators:
Aldrin Reo Cuben A, Bhuvanesh M, Christina Margret A, Madhumitha N, Pratibha S, Shreya Saurav, and Syed Mohammad Buhari