army-tower

KOCHI: Three huge flats built for soldiers in Vyttila at a cost of 160 crores and handed over five years ago are in danger. The inspection report says that the residents of 208 flats in two towers should be evacuated immediately.

It is indicated that there is no other option but to demolish the complex, which stands like a monument of massive corruption, with the concrete framework, beams and floors crumbling.

A joint inspection was conducted in November by the Thrippunithura Municipality and the GCDA on the instructions of the Collector. The Chennai IIT expert group had also given a similar suggestion earlier.

Municipal Assistant Executive Engineer BR Omprakash had said that it is impossible to maintain the building by repairing it in the report submitted to the Collector on January 29. GCDA Assistant Executive Engineer Y David also suggested in the report that the Army Tower should be declared uninhabitable if reinforcement is possible. The earlier inspection was conducted by IIT Chennai Civil Engineering Prof. Dr Radhakrishna G Pillai's team.

"Corruption" Towers

Cause of collapse

  1. Substandard construction materials
  2. Concreting using salt water
  3. Proper supervision and inspection was not done

We are staying at the risk of our lives. Many people have spent their entire life savings for this place.

Col Sibi George (Retd.)