The Kerala High Court has mandated the demolition of two apartment towers at the Silver Sand Island (SSI) Kochi project, managed by the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO), located in Vyttila, Kochi. This decision came after serious structural issues were identified in Towers B and C, posing significant risks to residents.
Justice Mohammed Nias C.P., addressing the court, highlighted the urgent need for demolition and reconstruction to protect lives and property. The judgement was based on various expert reports, legislative standards, and the local authorities’ recommendations, including those from the Kerala Municipalities Act and the Disaster Management Act.
The court has instructed the Ernakulam District Collector to form a committee to oversee the demolition. This committee will include structural engineers, members of the Residents Association, and local municipal engineers. They will establish the procedures for evacuating residents, selecting appropriate reconstruction technologies, and managing the project’s community and environmental impacts.
Residents displaced by this order will receive monthly compensation from AWHO—Rs 21,000 for those from Tower B and Rs 23,000 for those from Tower C—to cover alternate accommodation costs until the towers are reconstructed.
The structural problems in Towers B and C, which each house 208 flats, were reported shortly after their completion, with issues like concrete spalling and falling debris frequently observed. Following a directive on March 29, 2024, by the Ernakulam District Collector for urgent retrofitting and evacuation, the residents petitioned for a complete overhaul rather than a temporary fix.
The Silver Sand Island project, also known as ‘Chander Kunj Army Towers,’ includes three towers with a total of 264 dwelling units and amenities like a clubhouse and swimming pool. The AWHO, established in 1978, has been dedicated to providing affordable housing to armed forces personnel and their families, constructing these facilities on land acquired in 2013.
