Mumbai-based firm targets six-month window for Kochi Chander Kunj towers demolition, debris clearance
Edifice Engineering and South Africa’s Jet Demolition had undertaken a two-day inspection of apartments in towers ‘B’ and ‘C’ in June. The two firms had earlier overseen the demolition of the Maradu apartment complexes
Mumbai-based Edifice Engineering, chosen for the demolition of the Chander Kunj Army Apartment Complex's twin towers in Kochi, Kerala, aims to complete the process within six months, starting from the transfer of the 208 apartments. The District Collector's Committee has granted a six-month timeline for the entire operation. Edifice Engineering and South Africa's Jet Demolition conducted a two-day inspection of the towers in June.
The firms have previously managed the demolition of Maradu apartment complexes in Kochi. The demolition process is accelerating after the Kerala High Court dismissed a petition by Tamil Nadu-based P.K. Unique Project Limited challenging the Collector's Committee's decision to award the contract to Edifice. Edifice Engineering plans to deploy a 100-member team for the demolition and will sign the contract within a fortnight.
The company will focus on preparing the apartments for demolition before actual mobilisation of the team. Saji Thomas, president of Chander Kunj Army Towers Apartment Owners Association, said that the district collector's committee has authorized Edifice Engineering teams to visit the apartments from Friday. The actual demolition is expected to be quick, with towers collapsing one after the other, minimizing ground impact.
However, ensuring the safety of residents in tower 'A' is the main challenge, as corrosion has advanced in several areas. The firm assures that nearby apartment buildings and the Kochi Metro line, located over 50 metres away, will remain unaffected.
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