Several trans women live in housing units under TNUHDB in Ezhil Nagar, behind Kannagi Nagar tenements | Photo Credit: R. Aishwaryaa
Poor living conditions, lack of stable employment and difficulty availing benefits under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme – which is undergoing restructuring under the new Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government – continue to affect several transgender women living in south Chennai, particularly Kannagi Nagar and Ezhil Nagar.
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Durgasri, a member of Thirunangai Vizhigal Amaippu in Kannagi Nagar, said many trans women avail Magalir Urimai Thogai in Chennai, but nearly 4,000 in the city continue to face enrollment hurdles despite repeated requests from officials. She is among several trans women living in housing units under the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) in Ezhil Nagar, behind the Kannagi Nagar tenements.
She, along with Maya Sri, Sneha, Vaishnavi, Kalaivani and Maha Sri, alleged that the problems of alcoholism and substance abuse were rampant in the rented houses allotted to them. Residents pointed to missing light bulbs and damaged electrical panels and said theft also remains a major problem in the area.
Trans women who live in Ezhil Nagar complain of poor amenities | Photo Credit: R. Aishwaryaa
Dangerous environment
“Many are stealing personal belongings, pipes and electrical boards and breaking windows and doors. We are forced to live elsewhere until we can relocate after the thefts. Meanwhile, unknown people are taking place in these empty houses. We are expected to clean up this mess ourselves. How is this possible? How can we live in such conditions? We need better housing and security,” said Ajitha Sri.
Residents also pointed out open shafts, stray dogs and stray cattle in the locality. “Renovations are only being done on the outside. Walls continue to peel and broken windows are common. If we point it out, we are asked to fix it ourselves,” they claimed.
They further claimed that the micro canal passing through the site remained heavily polluted due to open dumping.
Residents said that people living in the nearby Secretariat Colony had earlier petitioned officials regarding these issues, but no action was taken. CCTV monitoring promised for the site has also not materialised, they added.
Strangers often defecate inside these empty houses, complain | Photo Credit: R. Aishwaryaa
Social alienation
“Furthermore, we have been given housing far away from the rest of the society. This further alienates us. Due to such alienation, several trans people have decided to live elsewhere in rented houses. Many of us are graduates, but no one is ready to offer us jobs because of the social stigma. If we get stable jobs and Magalir Urimai Thogai, we would not have to live in such conditions,” said Maya Sri.
They added that women in self-help groups refuse to include trans women and cannot enroll in the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) without government support. The group said it plans to approach the new government again to seek redress of its grievances.
‘Upcoming Soon’
Sholinganallur MLA ‘ECR’ P. Saravanan of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) said the inclusion of trans women as welfare beneficiaries would have to be decided by the party leadership.
“Improvement of Kannagi Nagar and Ezhil Nagar is on the cards and will be started soon. I have visited these localities. This condition has been going on for more than 10 years. Improvements will be done soon,” he said.
Published – 15 May 2026 15:24 IST
