SC orders demolition of 5 apartments in Ernakulam
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered to demolish five apartments in Maradu Municipality in Ernakulam for violating Coastal Regulation Zone(CRZ) rules.
A bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra directed authorities concerned to pull down the buildings within one month and submit a report to the court.
Given the dangers of floods and heavy rains, Kerala cannot bear illegal constructions, the court observed.
In 2006 when Maradu was a panchayat, the consent to raise the building was granted.
"As the buildings in question are situated within the prohibited distance, the construction is illegal,” The Hindu quoted advocate Romy Chacko appearing for the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority as saying.
The panchayat granted consent to the builders without obtaining the concurrence of the Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority, which is the authority to grant approval for construction within a CRZ area.
On November 27 last year, The Supreme Court directed an expert committee to submit a report on whether the area in question falls within CRZ II or CRZ III.
The committee found the buildings as coming under CRZ III as per the CRZ notification of 1991 and Kerala Coastal Zone Management Plan (KCZMP) 1996.
As per rules, no construction is allowed within 200 metres from the coastal line in CRZ III.
