more-in District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla has ordered the demolition of the dilapidated Asraj building complex at Mattancherry by invoking provisions of the Disaster Management Act. Kochi tahsildar and the fire and rescue station officer had earlier reported that the building might collapse any moment. In the wake of these reports, Mr. Safirulla had inspected the site. The inspection confirmed that the building was in a bad shape and posed a danger to human lives. It also threatened the lives of families in the immediate vicinity of the building. The Collector has now ordered its demolition to avoid any potential accident. The debris from demolition will be handed over to the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) as the Ernakulam Regional Transport Officer had sought earth for filling the site of the proposed driving test track on Willingdon Island. District Nirmithi Kendra will be entrusted with the demolition of the building. Valuable items recovered from the building will be deposited with Nirmithi Kendra, which will in turn transfer the amount equivalent to its estimated price to the State exchequer. Antiques and such other materials recovered should be handed over to the authorities concerned, the Collector said. The Collector ordered that the MVD should demolish and move the debris at its own cost without posing any problem to the nearby residents and their properties. The village officer should ensure that materials were used for no purpose other than that of the MVD. The service of the fire and rescue department should be availed of in the demolition job and the tahsildar should oversee it. An apartment complex was being built for nearly 18 families that stayed here. Temporary sheds were also being set up as part of the rehabilitation. The new complex could accommodate 36 families. Some families had started staying at the apartment even before its completion. However, they were still using the toilet and drinking water facilities at the dilapidated building.

Stay updated with all the Latest Kochi headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.