The Ernakulam district collector has issued a stern warning to the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO), threatening contempt of court proceedings if it fails to sign a demolition contract for the Chandar Kunj Army Towers complex at Vyttila Silver Sand Island within a week. The ultimatum was delivered during a special expert committee meeting chaired by District Collector J Priyanka on Tuesday.
Demolition Contract Ultimatum
According to an official statement, the draft of the contract prepared by the district administration has been handed over to AWHO. They have been given one week to sign it. If they fail to do so, AWHO must pay the entire cost of demolition, including GST, in advance. In that case, the district administration will directly undertake the demolition using those funds. Two separate orders are set to be issued on Wednesday, June 10: one from the collector-chaired committee and another under the disaster management act.
Background of the Order
The action follows prolonged delays in executing a high court order issued in February 2025, which directed the demolition and reconstruction of the dilapidated Towers B and C of the complex. The collector also directed AWHO to provide Rs 5 lakh within a week to fund newspaper advertisements for selecting a demolition agency.
Rental Compensation Issues
Regarding rental compensation, 24 flat owners who have been denied payments due to document shortfalls will have their cases individually reviewed at a meeting led by the deputy collector (disaster management) on June 15. The collector instructed that rental assistance be paid in advance. Residents welfare association (RWA) sources stated that all 24 owners possess the required documents and have gone without rent for 10 months. They added that AWHO should clear arrears for a substantial period rather than forcing owners to repeatedly seek payments already awarded by the high court.
Dispute Resolution for Flat Keys
To resolve disputes over the return of flat keys, AWHO and owners must hold a joint discussion within 15 days. Unresolved cases after that will be referred to the concerned tahsildar.
Petition to Chief Minister
Meanwhile, retired Colonel Ciby George, one of the flat owners, has petitioned the chief minister seeking direction for the district collector's committee to implement the court order in letter and spirit. He urged that the committee be a signatory to demolition contracts rather than delegating the entire process to AWHO, and called for greater transparency, including allowing all owners to attend committee meetings.
