Maradu CRZ Case: Kerala Electricity Board Snaps Power Supply To Ernakulum Apartments

The workers of the Kerala State Electricity Board disconnected the power supply to all the four Maradu apartments in compliance with Supreme Court’s order to demolish around 400 flats in Ernakulum's Maradu area. The plan was executed in the early morning hours in order to avoid the use of force and public protest. A large number of Policemen arrived early in the morning at the apartment to provide protection to the officials, reported The Hindu. The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on Kerala government for non-compliance of its verdict to demolish the buildings. The apex court summoned chief Secretary Tom Jose.

Expressing disappointment over the response from the state government to its previous judgments, the apex court maintained that it was 'shocked' that illegal construction of multi-storey buildings was being allowed in Kerala's coastal zones. It added that it would fix responsibility on officials who permitted such constructions.

However, senior advocate Harish Salve who appeared for the Kerala government submitted that it may not be viable to use implosion to demolish the construction.

Even after the State Electricity Board cut the power supply, a few residents do not appear to be moving out of the apartment. On the other hand, some residents are of a view that their power requirement cannot be fulfilled by generators only. 
Moreover, Kerala Water Authority has disconnected its supply to the Maradu apartments.

The Maradu municipality commissioner has also directed the gas agencies and BSNL to remove either their accessories or cut supplies from the apartments in order to expedite the demolition process.

On May 8, the Supreme Court passed an order to bring down four residential complexes housing around 400 residents, as its construction violated the stringent Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) norms.