'Steps being taken to demolish apartment complexes in Maradu'

The Kerala government on Wednesday initiated steps to demolish four apartment complexes at nearby Maradu, built in violation of CRZ norms, days after being pulled up the Supreme Court for not complying with its order to raze the buildings.

Fort Kochi Sub-Collector Snehil Kumar Singh, who was given additional charge as Maradu Municipality secretary to carry out the demolition, said the directions given by the government on Tuesday, including disconnection of power and water supply to the apartments, would be implemented soon.

"We will have to follow it up," Singh told reporters here in response to a query on whether the government's direction in this regard would be implemented.

The government had at a review meeting on Tuesday decided to write to the Kerala State Electricity Board and Kerala Water Authority to disconnect power and water supply to the apartments with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, the residents said they would not leave their flats even if they are denied water and electricity.

"Officials are taking steps to throw us out on the streets. We are not the culprits. We will not leave our homes. We will stay here," a representative of the flat owners said.

He said some flat owners are abroad and the struggle against the demolition move would be strengthened once they come back.

The government took the steps to implement the Apex Court order after it expressed shock over a spate of unauthorised structures coming up at Kochi's Maradu, saying illegal construction in coastal areas of Kerala is a "colossal loss" to the environment