No new housing units permissible on the sites of three demolished Maradu apartments, says KCZMA

No new residential projects can be permitted at the sites of Holy Faith, Alfa Serene, and Jain Coral Cove, the three Maradu apartments that were demolished six years ago for violating Coastal Regulation Zone rules, concluded the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA).

However, an expert committee constituted by the Authority has recommended that residential units can be constructed on the property where Golden Kayaloram, which was also demolished in 2020, once stood. It is the existence of an authorised road between the High Tide Line and the property that turned out to be favourable for Golden Kayaloram.

The absence of any authorised road or fixed structures between the High Tide Line and the holdings proved detrimental to the three holdings. No construction of buildings for residential purposes, schools, hospitals, institutions, offices, or public places is permissible in these holdings as per the provisions of the CRZ 2019 notification, according to a two-member committee consisting of K.K. Vijayan and C. Ravichandran, appointed by the Authority.

A report of the sub-committee, which looked into the feasibility of any construction activities on the four sites, will be handed over to the Supreme Court shortly. The apex court had last year directed the Amicus Curiae in the case to hold discussions with the Authority on the feasibility of the usage of the plots for any construction activities.

In the case of Golden Kayaloram, the committee recommended that the construction of buildings for residential purposes, schools, hospitals, institutions, offices and public places shall be permitted only on the landward side of the existing road, or the existing authorised fixed structures.

The panel has also cautioned that no permission for the construction of buildings shall be given on the landward side of any new roads constructed on the seaward side of an existing road.

Quoting the provisions of the CRZ 2019 notification, which classified Maradu municipality under the CRZ 2 area, the panel noted that buildings permitted on the holding of Golden Kayaloram shall be subject to the local town and country planning regulations as applicable from time to time. The norms for the Floor Space Index or Floor Area Ratio prevailing on the date of the CRZ notification shall apply for such construction, it noted.

The demolition of the apartment complexes was a major drive against illegal constructions that had come up on the banks of Vembanad Lake in violation of the rules. Legal action was also initiated against the builders, the civic officials who cleared the project and the architects.