Two of the four apartment complexes in Maradu municipality of Kochi will be razed down on Saturday, eight months after Supreme Court ordered the demolition of these waterfront complexes for violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
Police units have been deployed across the area to keep curious onlookers away. People living in a radius of 200m from the Holyfaith H20 at Kundannoor and Alfa Serene twin towers at Nettoor were evacuated around 9am. The demolition process is expected to commence with sounding of sirens at 10.30am.
People moved their valuables to safer locations and houses have been covered with plastic sheets to protect them from dust and debris. Section 144 is in place in the area from 8am on Saturday.
Officials have issued a dust warning, saying plumes of dust will file a 50-metre radius of the two flats after the demolition. People who stand even outside the 200-metre radius should wear masks, an official said.
Local people as well as those from distant areas are rushing to find a prime spot to watch the demolition. Media houses have deployed several teams of correspondents and lensmen and several of them have already identified prime spots to get the perfect clicks and footage.
Officials were careful to put up a face of confidence. Sub-collector Snehil Kumar, in charge of the demolition, told TV channels that everything will be done as planned.
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Utkarsh Mehta of Edifice Engineering said the company was fully confident of the demolition of H2O.
Experts and authorities on Friday engaged in last-minute checks for the first round of demolition on Saturday and another on Sunday. A mock drill was carried out to ensure safety of citizens. Everything was enacted except for the pressing of the button, which will trigger the collapse.
