THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The City Plaza Flat Owners’ Association which has been facing issues over stability of the structure has decided to approach the high court against the corporation. As the first step, the association will submit a petition to the Local Self Government Department (LSGD) principal director.
Recently, the city corporation cancelled as many as 84 building numbers of commercial and residential buildings of the City Plaza building at Ulloor after concerns were raised over the stability of the structure.
The civic body also cancelled the trade licenses issued to the shop owners of this residential-cum-commercial building. A large portion of the retaining wall of this building had collapsed and fallen onto the nearby compound, partially damaging a few apartments during the heavy showers in October. The tahasildar has issued an eviction notice for the residents. However, the residents said that they wouldn’t vacate the place.
The corporation officials had communicated the cancellation of building numbers to the owners and pasted the notices on different parts of the building.
Recently the association was relieved after receiving a favourable structural stability certificate. Following the inspection of the superstructure and its foundation of the existing structure, it was found safe and stable. “The collapse of the retaining wall does not affect the stability of the building, but reconstruction of the retaining wall is necessary,” the report noted.
The civic body had earlier issued a notice to the flat owners’ association and partners of the construction firm following the collapse of the retaining wall and communicated that the wall was in a precarious state and that the foundation was exposed in a way affecting the stability of the structure. It was directed to stop all the activities in the building and to shift the residents of the nearby building.
The residents said that the corporation failed to act against unauthorised construction works in the building. “The corporation has still not implemented the order of LSGD tribunal, though the deputy mayor promised three weeks back that he would take immediate action.” office bearers of the association said.
“The collapse of the retaining wall was a result of unauthorised constructions in the common area. We approached the Corporation and other authorities against these illegal constructions since 2021 but nothing was done. Now when the boundary wall toppled to the premises of the Housing Board, the blame is on us,” they added.
