Also known as 24 MTC, it is a Telugu speaking community referring to people belonging to Hindu vaishya caste that migrated to Kochi for the trade of buffalo milk and milk products. According to the oral traditions, their migration began some 150 years back, predominantly from the Pollachi region in Tamil Nadu. The community had migrates into Tamil Nadu centuries back. Currently there are about 75 24 MTC families residing in the area. Since Kochi Municipal Corporation has imposed strict restrictions on animal husbandry within the city approximately 60 buffalo sheds were forced closed down. This move, along with the advent of packaged milk products, has forced the younger generations of the community to pursue other career options. For the older generations Kochi was only a place of business interest and hence most didn’t build homes here and many had farms and homes back in Pollachi. But the things ate beginning t change and the younger generations of Chettiyars are buiding permanent homes in Kochi while also strengthening their connections with Pollachi mostly through marriages.
