Kochi: 35 more owners to get damages
The committee examined 61 applications in its meeting and awarded the maximum interim compensation of Rs 25 lakh to three people.
Kochi: The three-member committee headed by Justice (Retd) K. Balakrsihnan Nair appointed to fix the compensation for the owners of Maradu apartments on Thursday recommended the application of 35 more persons to the government for payment of compensation. With this, the total number of owners awarded compensation in lieu of demolition of the building reached 49. The committee had cleared 14 applications last week.
The committee examined 61 applications in its meeting and awarded the maximum interim compensation of Rs 25 lakh to three people. The committee has recommended the value shown for the flats at the time of registration as major yardstick for fixing the compensation. The Maradu municipality has so far received 185 applications for compensation and out of this a list of 120 was given to the committee after scrutiny. According to the estimate 241 flat owners are entitled for compensation.
Meanwhile, the steps for the demolition of Maradu apartments have commenced with two buildings being handed over to the companies selected for the demolition work on Thursday. Alfa Serene Apartment complex has been handed over to Vijaya Steels while Edifice Engineering has taken over Jain Coral Caves.
A group of workers of the Vijaya Steels conducted a 'pooja' in the premises of one of the towers of Alfa Serene before undertaking pre-demolition activities. The demolition using controlled explosion method is expected to take at least 60 days which included the filling up of the buildings with explosives. According to the plans explosives will be placed in strategic load bearing areas of the building up to five floors.
The government has issued the order for entrusting the responsibility for confiscation and seizure of properties of the builders to the Crime Branch. The Maradu municipal council meeting on Thursday witnessed heated arguments as opposition councillors protesting that demolition work commenced without knowledge of the civic body. The Fort Kochi sub-collector and special secretary of the municipality , however, said only a 'pooja' by the workers of the one of the companies was held during the day.