‘Need safe homes’: 78 families of GCDA-LIFE Mission flats in Kochi continue protest
Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.In Keralam’s Ernakulam district, a two-year-old apartment complex built to rehabilitate low-income families may face demolition, as serious defects in construction and sanitation have rendered the building unlivable. Chief Minister VD Satheesan, on Saturday, September 26, declared that the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA)-LIFE Mission housing complex in Mundamveli will be demolished and residents rehabilitated. He added that detailed decisions regarding the same will be announced later.The Chief Minister’s statement came amid an indefinite strike held by 78 families currently living in the apartment complex, demanding better and safer homes.The Mundamveli GCDA-LIFE Mission apartment complex was built to rehabilitate low-income families from Kochi city’s P&T Colony in 2024. They were moved to the newly built apartment after the Perandoor Canal repeatedly flooded the colony. The new homes came with multiple issues, prompting residents to protest for more than two months now.Leaky flats: 77 families relocated by Kochi Corporation face flooding nightmareNew home with multiple issues“Less than a month into our stay in the new flat, water started leaking from the roof during rains. The entire room flooded, making it impossible to sleep or even cook food,” said Lalitha, a resident who was sitting at the protest site on Saturday, the 67th day of the protest.Another resident, Rukmini, said that within a week of moving into the apartment complex, the septic tank filled up, causing sewage to overflow. “Normally, it would take years before the waste pit would need to be emptied. Here, the Corporation has arranged vehicles to dispose of the waste every day. If they don't come on one day, the entire toilet system gets blocked,” she said.Another issue raised by the residents are the cracks on the walls. “In our house, small cracks started appearing initially. Later, the plaster began to break apart like powder. We are worried about how much structural strength this flat actually has,” said Dhanalakshmi, another resident.They also complained about electric shocks, especially during the rainy season.Abhilash, the apartment’s residents’ association president, said neither the GCDA nor the Kochi Corporation show any willingness to address their issues. “Whenever we approach the GCDA with an issue, they tell us to go to the Corporation. When we approach the Corporation, they tell us to go to the GCDA. We are like orphans here,” he added.Following the Chief Minister’s declaration that the apartment complex at Mundamveli would be demolished and residents rehabilitated, the families expressed happiness. However, they said they will not stop their protest until they get a definite solution. “We won’t stop our protest because of the Chief Minister’s promise. We do not need promises. In 2018, they (previous LDF government) made a promise, and we had to wait until 2024. Our children cannot be expected to wait like this again in the future,” Abhilash said.
Follow TNM's WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.
IN Ernakulam district, a two-year-old apartment complex built to rehabilitate low-income families may face demolition, as serious defects in construction and sanitation have rendered the building unlivable.
Chief Minister VD Satheesan, on Saturday, September 26, declared that the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA)-LIFE Mission housing complex in Mundamveli will be demolished and residents rehabilitated. He added that detailed decisions regarding the same will be announced later.
The Chief Minister’s statement came amid an indefinite strike held by 78 families currently living in the apartment complex, demanding better and safer homes.
The Mundamveli GCDA-LIFE Mission apartment complex was built to rehabilitate low-income families from Kochi city’s P&T Colony in 2024. They were moved to the newly built apartment after the Perandoor Canal repeatedly flooded the colony.
The new homes came with multiple issues, prompting residents to protest for more than two months now.
New home with multiple issues
“Less than a month into our stay in the new flat, water started leaking from the roof during rains. The entire room flooded, making it impossible to sleep or even cook food,” said Lalitha, a resident who was sitting at the protest site on Saturday, the 67th day of the protest.
Another resident, Rukmini, said that within a week of moving into the apartment complex, the septic tank filled up, causing sewage to overflow. “Normally, it would take years before the waste pit would need to be emptied. Here, the Corporation has arranged vehicles to dispose of the waste every day. If they don't come on one day, the entire toilet system gets blocked,” she said.
Another issue raised by the residents are the cracks on the walls. “In our house, small cracks started appearing initially. Later, the plaster began to break apart like powder. We are worried about how much structural strength this flat actually has,” said Dhanalakshmi, another resident.
They also complained about electric shocks, especially during the rainy season.
Abhilash, the apartment’s residents’ association president, said neither the GCDA nor the Kochi Corporation show any willingness to address their issues. “Whenever we approach the GCDA with an issue, they tell us to go to the Corporation. When we approach the Corporation, they tell us to go to the GCDA. We are like orphans here,” he added.
Following the Chief Minister’s declaration that the apartment complex at Mundamveli would be demolished and residents rehabilitated, the families expressed happiness. However, they said they will not stop their protest until they get a definite solution.
“We won’t stop our protest because of the Chief Minister’s promise. We do not need promises. In 2018, they (previous LDF government) made a promise, and we had to wait until 2024. Our children cannot be expected to wait like this again in the future,” Abhilash said.
