Despite Collector’s ultimatum, Kochi Chander Kunj apartments takeover remains uncertain

Uncertainty continues over the takeover of the apartments in towers “B” and “C” of the Chander Kunj Army apartment complex at Silver Sand Island, Vyttila, despite the district administration’s ultimatum to the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) to commence the process on Monday (October 12, 2026).

The District Collector issued a strong directive to the AWHO after the organisation ignored the original decision of the District Collector’s Committee, constituted following a directive from the Kerala High Court to oversee the demolition and reconstruction of the apartments, to begin the handing-over process by apartment owners on Monday (October 5, 2026). While apartment owners from various parts of the State, along with the Revenue Divisional Officer and the tahsildar, assembled at the clubhouse of the apartment complex, AWHO representatives failed to turn up.

Owners were to hand over the keys to their respective apartments along with an affidavit signed by the AWHO and countersigned by the tahsildar, affirming the organisation’s undertaking to provide reconstructed apartments in place of the existing ones. The AWHO, in turn, is required to hand over the apartments to the district administration for demolition.

“We have received no intimation of any sort from the AWHO. As we continue to remain in the dark about whether the takeover process will begin today or not, we have asked owners from far-off areas not to turn up unless there is clarity regarding the AWHO’s intentions,” said George Antony, vice-president of the Chander Kunj Army Towers Apartment Owners Association (CATAOA).

The District Collector’s Committee had decided to commence the takeover of the apartments for demolition on October 5 and complete the process within a fortnight. A week of that deadline has already elapsed without the process even getting started. With the AWHO continuing to dillydally, owners have demanded the invocation of the Disaster Management Act to ensure compliance.

Meanwhile, a meeting of the sub-committee chaired by the Fort Kochi Revenue Divisional Officer is scheduled to be held on Monday (October 12, 2026) morning. The agenda includes finalisation of the demolition contract with Mumbai-based Edifice Engineering, which has been awarded the contract, and revision of the Request for Proposal for the appointment of the Project Management Consultant. Representatives of the AWHO are expected to attend the meeting.