SC orders demolition of Maradu complexes; orders Rs. 25 lakh compensation to owners

The Supreme Court of India has ordered the demolition of four apartment complexes in Maradu, Kochi as the complexes violate coastal regulation zone norms. The Court rejected a last-minute effort by the Kerala government to put the demolition on hold. The Kerala government had suggested that it could evacuate the occupants and asked the Court to let the buildings stand.

The judges told the Kerala government that they could get the apartment complex demolished if the State Government could not do the job.

The Supreme Court has accepted a 138-day time frame proposed by the Kerala State Government to demolish and clear the debris. The State Government has been ordered to give each flat owner an interim compensation of Rs. 25 lakhs.

The Maradu municipality, where these flat complexes are situated, has decided to cut power and water supply to the flats to wear out occupants who refuse to shift. The civic body has asked the State Electricity Board and State Water Authority to cut off the connections. Besides this, the state government has appointed a young IAS officer Snehil Kumar to oversee the eviction and demolition process.