Chennai homes, a tall order

The rise in demand for high-end housing in the city is not the effect of increase in overall development of the city; it is rather an indication of growing inequality. In Chennai Metropolis, like other big cities in India, economic growth has not resulted in prosperity for all. This has led to wealth being overtly concentrated in a few hands.That is greater part growth has gone to proportion of the people. But majority of them have access disproportionately higher income mainly through illegal means such as tax evasion, corruption, money laundering, mis-invoicing, capitation fees, smuggling, profiteering,capitation fees,etc. These high net-worth individual are prepared to pay any price for a higher end dwelling unit in a posh locality. The pity is that low income people are completely left out, particularly in the past decade or so when the government has withdrawn form the construction of dwellings for the poor (low income)As a result majority of the urban poor are forced to live in slums and squatter settlements in poverty and destitution without access to basic amenities and essential services. Business Line