Deadline ends at Maradu today: Govt help sought to shortlist firm for razing

Kochi: The Maradu Municipality has written to the state government to appoint an expert panel to shortlist a competent agency from the list of 13 companies that expressed interest in carrying out demolition of the five affected apartments.

Meanwhile, the deadline given by the Supreme Court for the demolition work ends on Friday.

"The municipality has completed all procedures as directed by the state government. An action taken report will be submitted to the apex court on September 23. We're already submitting daily reports to the state," said Maradu municipal vice-chairman Boban Nedumparambil.

The municipality issued notice to flat owners to vacate, took action for rehabilitation and compensation (though none applied) and prepared a list of 13 companies for demolition work by floating expression of interest.

"Since we've no technical expert, we've written to the government to constitute a technical expert committee to assess the competency of the 13 companies and shortlist one. The main area of focus will be minimal ecological effect and the debris disposal among others," he said.

The state government is yet to give further direction and the application of the companies will be scrutinised only thereafter.

According to sources, a tender will be floated and the final selection will be made taking into account the bid amount too.

The Supreme Court on May 8 had ordered the demolition of five apartments for violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.

The apex courtasked the state to comply with the order by September 20, failing which the chief secretary will have to personally appear before the court on September 23.