Residents of five posh residential complexes in Kochi – housing over 350 people – are protesting against a demolition order issued by the Supreme Court.
The SC had, on 6 September, ordered the demolition of illegal flats in Kochi's Maradu Panchayat by September 20 for the violation of environmental norms under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). The matter involves demolition of 400 flats in five apartment complexes in Maradu. The court had said that these flats were constructed under CRZ III – which has a restriction on any construction in 200 metres proximity to a water body.
The deadline to vacate the flats ended yesterday.
Residents could be seen in protests at the “offending” complexes, along with members of the film fraternity, retired and working professionals and senior citizens. According to an NDTV report, and in a rare show of solidarity, the flags of three political parties – the BJP, CPM and the Congress – were also seen at the main protest venue.
Support From Political Parties
According to a report in The News Minute, Congress leader and state Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala had visited the residents on Saturday and later told TNM:
“These are common people, who have spent their entire life’s savings to buy homes in these apartments. As of now, the Government and the CM have not come forward to do anything to help them or to stand with them.”
NDTV also quoted Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the CPM state secretary, who addressed the protesting residents and said,
“Where will the debris be taken after these huge buildings are demolished? This will become a huge environmental concern...These homes belong to the rich, some have been arguing. We must not forget that many of them have put in all their savings to buy their homes, after years of work.”
Many of the residents in these flats are celebrities from the Malayalam film industry.
The Supreme Court of India in May 2019 had ordered for the demolition of four apartment complexes in Maradu — Jains Coral Cove, Golden Kayaloram, H2O Holy Faith and Alfa Serene, after they were found to have been built in violation of the CRZ III rules.
According to municipality commissioner TH Nadeera – and as quoted by NDTV, however – the area has now been revised to CRZ II category. The Maradu municipality also claims that while it has been given the responsibility to demolish these buildings by the SC, it cannot do so without the approval of state government.
(With inputs from The News Minute and NDTV)
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