Kochi has become a focal point of concern as escalating demands emerge for the relocation of residents from Chander Kunj Army Towers, located on Silver Sand Island in Vyttila. This situation has captured the attention of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who has communicated to Hibi Eden, the local Member of Parliament, that he will request a report from the Army Welfare Housing Organization (AWHO) regarding the pressing issues within 15 days.
During a critical discussion with Singh, Eden emphasized the destructive condition of towers B and C, which have been deemed perilous due to significant structural flaws. The MP’s appeal for a robust intervention from the Union government was grounded in alarming findings from reputable research institutions, including the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru and IIT Madras. These institutions have declared that two of the three towers in the apartment complex are structurally unsound.
Eden presented substantial evidence, including reports documenting the deplorable state of the buildings. He described various forms of damage affecting the integrity of the towers, mentioning crumbling walls, fractured beams, and eroded concrete pillars. This situation places residents in a precarious position, with constant risks posed by falling concrete slabs and large shards of marbled tiles. “The living conditions are intolerable, with almost every flat experiencing leakage issues, including sewage leaks. Additionally, there have been instances of concrete slabs collapsing in the parking lot, resulting in damage to parked vehicles,” Eden stated.
Eden called upon the Central government to take stringent measures against the AWHO, asserting that senior officials within the defence department must be held accountable for the structural shortcomings of the buildings. He urged for swift action to demolish the defective towers and initiate the construction of a new building in its place. Furthermore, he insisted that the AWHO should bear all costs associated with relocating the residents to safe accommodation. In cases where residents choose not to move into new flats, compensation should be awarded based on current market rates, he argued.
In a related development, AWHO recently filed an affidavit with the high court, indicating a willingness to compensate owners if they vacate their flats. This comes on the heels of a district collector’s order issued six months prior, which mandated the immediate evacuation of residents from towers B and C due to safety concerns. The situation continues to evolve as residents and officials await the outcome of the minister’s forthcoming report and any subsequent actions from the Union government.
