Chander Kunj Army twin towers in Vyttila
| Photo Credit: File photo
The Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) has expressed willingness to shoulder the “full financial burden for both the demolition and reconstruction” of the Chander Kunj Army twin towers on Silversand Island, Vyttila.
The organisation clarified its position in a review petition filed by the residents before the Kerala High Court on a verdict passed by the court on February 3. The court had ordered the demolition and reconstruction of the twin towers following structural problems identified in them. The AWHO noted that the ₹175 crore mentioned in its court pleadings may not be considered the final amount for the proposed demolition and reconstruction of the buildings.
A committee, with District Collector N.S.K. Umesh as the convener, formed to oversee the proposed demolition and reconstruction, had stated in an affidavit that the ₹175 crore earmarked by the AWHO was inadequate, and that it might require ₹211 crore as estimated by the Public Works department (PWD) and the structural expert.
The court also directed the residents’ association of the Army towers to inform the district committee about the number of owners opting for a buy-back option in a week. “It has been noted that some allottees favour the buy-back option rather than awaiting the demolition and reconstruction process,” the court observed.
The court directed the Collector to convene a meeting within two weeks to finalise a timeline for demolition and reconstruction. “A clear picture shall be provided for the proposed course of action detailing the various phases and a breakdown of the estimated costs calculated for both reconstruction and demolition.” The committee shall also inform the AWHO about the amount required for the first phase within a week of taking that decision, and the AWHO shall duly pay it.
The court asked the Collector to file a compliance report before May 20, 2025. The pendency of the review petitions shall not prevent the committee from proceeding with the implementation of the other directions in the judgment, including this order, the court observed.
Published – April 13, 2025 01:10 am IST
