The ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged substandard construction of the P&T Apartment Complex in Mundamveli has escalated, with officials from the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and the Thrissur District Labour Contract Co-operative Society (TDLC) announcing a joint inspection scheduled for August 13 (Tuesday). This inspection aims to address the growing dissatisfaction and concerns voiced by the residents regarding the quality and safety of the construction. The decision for a joint inspection comes on the heels of numerous complaints from the residents, who have raised alarming issues about the structural integrity of the buildings. A senior official from the GCDA confirmed the upcoming inspection, highlighting the need to thoroughly assess the situation on the ground.
The residents’ grievances predominantly revolve around water leakage issues, which have reportedly turned the apartment complex into an unsafe living environment. Complaints of rainwater seeping through the roofs and flooding the corridors have been persistent, causing significant distress among the occupants. The situation has been exacerbated by the malfunctioning toilets, with leaks affecting a substantial majority of the apartments. The residents, who were originally relocated from the P&T Colony along the banks of Chilavannur Lake in the Gandhi Nagar area, now find themselves grappling with these serious issues in their new homes.
The chairperson of the residents’ association has expressed deep concerns about the deteriorating conditions within the apartment complex. According to the chairperson, the water leakage from the upper floors’ toilets has impacted approximately 95% of the apartments, posing severe risks to the residents’ safety. The structural integrity of the building has also come into question, with reports indicating that the beams are in a precarious condition. Adding to the residents’ woes, the Kochi Corporation officials recently issued a set of unusual instructions, advising the residents to keep the interior walls of the building dry—an indication of the extent of the underlying issues.
In response to these developments, opposition councillors within the Kochi Corporation have called for an investigation by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau. They have raised allegations of corruption in the construction process, further intensifying the scrutiny on the responsible authorities. As the GCDA and TDLC prepare for the joint inspection, the outcome will be closely watched by all stakeholders involved. The inspection is expected to provide critical insights into the severity of the construction defects and potentially pave the way for remedial actions to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents.
