Kochi: The Ernakulam district administration is set to decide on the demolition agency for the dilapidated towers B and C of Chander Kunj Army Towers at Silver Sand Island in Vyttila. A district administration official stated that the tender proceedings are expected to be completed within a week. However, the official declined to comment on the exact timeline for the demolition.
It has been learned that nine agencies have expressed interest in the project. Among them is Edifice Engineering, the firm that demolished one of the four buildings in Maradu in 2020. Sources from Edifice Engineering confirmed that they have held discussions with the district administration regarding the technical and commercial aspects of the tender process.
With all residents having been vacated, the ground is now clear for the demolition agency to implode the towers. The High Court had ordered the demolition and reconstruction of the towers in 2025. The Army Welfare Housing Organization (AWHO), which constructed the towers, has been covering the rental expenses of the evacuated residents.
Construction of the building, which was intended as a retirement home, began in 2016, and flats were handed over to owners in 2018. However, a study report from IIT Madras confirmed that towers B and C are unsafe and pose a threat to residents.
This marks the second time Kochi is witnessing the implosion of imposing structures. Ironically, the Chander Kunj building is located in the Maradu municipality, where four buildings were demolished in January 2020 following a Supreme Court order, as those structures were constructed in violation of CRZ rules.
