india

Updated: Oct 03, 2019 22:23 IST

The district administration on Thursday extended deadline for shifting to six more hours after repeated requests from occupants of four flat complexes in Kochi which face demolition for flouting coastal regulation zone norms.

“The deadline ended at 6 pm on Thursday but it was extended to 12 am on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday,” said Kochi sub collector Snehil Kumar Singh who is supervising the demolition process. He said water and power connections will be cut only after the revised deadline.

Many residents had sought at least one-week extension to shift their goods but the district administration turned the request down. “We are working under a timeline and we have to stick to it,” said Singh.

After the earlier deadline expired at 6 pm, the police officials reached the site and asked people to furnish a list of goods to be shifted from their flats. The officials also asked them to give a signed statement after shifting from their flats. The district administration said at least 150 flat owners have given an undertaking, confirming this move.

State crime branch chief Tomin Thachankery, who visited the site, said investigation against builders and officials who colluded with them has started. While ordering the demolition of these flats, the Supreme Court had also ordered the state to book builders and officials responsible for this.

In last hearing on September 27, the court had directed the state to demolish the flats in 138 days. Initially the state government tried its best to avoid demolition but later fell on line after the apex court threatened to start contempt proceeding against it for not implementing its May verdict. Left with no other option later it chalked out a plan for demolition.

As per the plan, eviction of occupants will be completed by October 3 and contractors will be finalised by October 5. The district administration has short-listed three bidders from a list of 15 after verifying their experience and track record. The Maradu municipal corporation - where these flats are situated - said it will call also a meeting of nearby residents to expel their concerns. “We will call a meeting of residents before demolition to address their concerns. We are aware some of them are really worried,” said T H Nadira, the civic body chairperson.

Earlier authorities had decided to carry out ‘controlled implosion’ to bring down 10 lakh sq feet concrete structures.

According to the experts, controlled implosion is an accepted demolition technique in which explosives will be placed on strategic spots of structures and ignite them to raze within its perimeters.