Kochi: The Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) in association with the district administration demolished many buildings in Muvattupuzha on Saturday for development of the town with the help of PWD under police protection.
The operation was initiated against the builders refusing to vacate their premises after collecting compensation and notices served.
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) had cut off power to these buildings a week ago. The owners, however, were operating the shops using generators.
The KSTP launched the drive under mounting protests against the delay in implementing the project after a meeting of officials and people's representatives. The expansion and development require the acquisition of properties of 135 people. They took them over from 82 after the LDF government came to power and provided '17.30 crore as compensation.
The land belonging to 53 also needed to be acquired and a joint inspection is progressing for stone markings required in many places.
The Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) has allocated a total of '32.14 crore for the purpose. Out of this, '19.50 crore is for land acquisition and '2.25 crore for removing water pipelines and electric poles.
