Axe on Kochi high-rises

Kochi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the demolition of five high-rise apartments in Maradu municipality near Kochi for violating the provisions of Coastal Regulation Zone rules. The demolition of the five buildings – Alfa Ventures, Holy Faith, Kayaloram, Holiday Heritage and Jain Housing – has to be undertaken within a month.

A bench headed by Justice Arun Misra issued the verdict on a writ petition filed by Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA). The bench observed that Kerala cannot afford to bear the brunt of another flood and cited that unauthorised and illegal constructions will further escalate the possibilities of flood-like disasters.

The verdict has sent shock waves among the builders in Kerala as Kochi is the fulcrum of the real estate business in the state. Maradu, a panchayat till 2010, emerged as one of the most sought-after destinations for property developers as three national highways, NH-66, NH-85 and NH-966B, intersected the region known for its backwaters and lush green landscape.

The apex court verdict will hit around 300 apartment owners in the five building complexes identified for demolition. Holy Faith has around 90-95 units while Jain Housing around 125. Alfa Ventures also has a similar number of units.      

The owners of apartments in Holy Faith and Alfa Ventures included prominent film actors and directors. The cost of an apartment is near Rs 1crore - 1.5 crore, according to the residents in the apartments. “The base price was Rs 95 lakh plus other amenities when we bought the unit in 2010,” a resident in Holy Faith said.

The verdict was the result of a long -drawn legal battle with the first chairperson of Maradu municipality cancelling the building permits in 2010 after it was elevated from a panchayat. Most builders had obtained their permission when Maradu was a panchayat.

Builders challenged the decision of the municipality in the High Court and the court verdict was in favour of the builders. The KCZMA filed a writ appeal in 2015 against the HC verdict in the Supreme Court that has led to the present order.