Maradu flats demolished four months after SC order

Four months after the Supreme Court ordered demolition of five apartment blocks at Maradu near here, the last of the apartment block of Golden Kayaloram was razed on Sunday afternoon by pressing of a trigger at 2.30 pm, 30 minutes behind the original plan.

At 11.02 a.m, the 18-floor Jain Coral Cove, comprising 125 apartments, was razed.

The 30-minute delay in the second implosion after the experts gave finishing touches to bring Golden Kayaloram down, was due to location of a two-storied children anganwadi just 10 metres away, which was to be saved.

The blast was conducted with such a precision that no harm was done to the nearby anganwadi.

On Saturday, around 11.42 am, the 19-storied H2O Holy Faith was razed. It was followed by two blocks of Alfa

Serene flats.

The Ernakulam district authorities can take pride that the demolition of five blocks over two days went as planned by the explosive experts, without any damage to the neighbourhood.

After the occupants (240 families) moved out, authorities removed doors and windows leaving just the skeleton structure to be demolished.

On September 6, the apex court had ordered demolition by September 20 for violating the Coastal Regulation Zone rules, but Kerala government dilly-dallied on it.

It was only after the court took a tough stance that the Kerala government realised that there was no way out but the demolition of the buildings.

After several rounds of discussions, the demolition date was finalised. Through an open tender, task of demolition was given to companies that had experience of such operations.