Jain Coral Cove complex being demolished using controlled implosion at Maradu in Kochi. (Photo Credit: Twitter)
New Delhi:
Jain Coral Cove, a 55-metre high illegal apartment complex in Maradu - overlooking Kerala's stunning backwaters - was demolished using controlled implosion on Sunday morning. The demolition drive was carried out in a very careful manner and area in a 200-metre radius was kept out of the bound for people during the drive.
The demolition comes a day after the Kerala government demolished two of the complexes. This is one of the largest demolition drives in India involving residential complexes.
Before starting the demolition drive, the prohibitory order was declared by the Ernakulam District Collector. Section 144 of CrPC was imposed on the land, water and in the air in the evacuation zone of all the illegal waterfront apartment complexes in Kochi.
#WATCH Maradu flats demolition: Jain Coral Cove complex demolished through a controlled implosion.2 out of the 4 illegal apartment towers were demolished yesterday, today is the final round of the operation. #Kochi #Kerala pic.twitter.com/mebmdIm1Oa
— ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2020
Earlier, residents in the evacuation zone were directed to switch off the electricity and all appliances before leaving their homes. They were also advised to close all windows and doors to protect their houses from dust.
All traffic airborne, waterborne, land-based was prohibited in the evacuation zone, police.
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Earlier in December, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea by some owners of Maradu flats in Kochi seeking direction to the Attorney General to grant permission to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against concerned authorities for allegedly misleading the court in the matter.
The top court had on September 30 refused to entertain a plea of flat owners seeking a stay on its order to demolish four apartment complexes in Maradu which were built in violation of Coastal Regulation Zone norms.
On September 27, the top court had directed demolition of these flats within 138 days, a timeline was given by the Kerala government, and had asked the state to pay Rs 25 lakh interim compensation to each flat owner within four weeks.
