Army tower: Conflict arises in meeting called by AWHO

KOCHI: A discussion held by the promoters Army Welfare Housing Organization (AWHO) MD Major General (Retd.) Vikal Sahni with the residents of Chanderkunj Army Tower in Vytila Silver Sand Island, which is threatened with collapse resulted in conflict.

Under police protection, the MD and Brigadier MRK Rajesh Panicker, Deputy General Commanding Officer, Karnataka Kerala Sub-Area and Siddhartha Singhal, AHO Project Director, Kochi arrived on behalf of the Army's Southern Command in Pune.

Out of 264 flat owners, 80 people participated in the meeting. They could not give a definite answer to the questions of the residents of the 29-storey B and C towers, which are slated to be demolished within five years of their construction. They said that the private agency appointed by AWHO called Bureau Veritas will carry out the work suggested by them and start the process to maintain the towers. Questions about moving in while repairs are underway were not answered. The team returned with no guarantees, saying they would present the information at next month's WHO Board of Governors meeting. The Chief of Army Staff is the President of the Board.

They arrived at 10.30 am and interacted at the club house till 2.30 am. The police were on the spot under the leadership of SI of Maradu police station.

AWHO said that civil and criminal action will be taken against the people and agencies responsible for the current plight of Chanderkunj Army Towers. A tender has been called for the reinforcements proposed by Bureau Veritas. It is not correct to say that the towers B and C will have to be demolished and the residents should be evacuated immediately. Madras IIT report is not authentic. The dispute is pending before the court. As soon as the court and the government give permission, the repairs will start.