KOCHI: After years of anticipation, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate housing complexes under the Rajiv Awas Yojana in Fort Kochi on September 27. The project will benefit 394 families, primarily from slum areas in Mattancherry.
Two new housing complexes have been developed at Thuruthy. The first complex was constructed by the city corporation as part of its own initiative, while the second was built by Cochin Smart Mission Ltd (CSML) on behalf of the Kochi corporation.
The municipality constructed the first tower over an area of 10,796.42 sq m at a cost of Rs 41.74 crore. It comprises 199 units across 11 floors, each measuring 300 sq ft, featuring a dining/living area, one bedroom, a kitchen, a balcony, and two bathrooms. Amenities include 81 parking spaces, a sewage treatment plant with a capacity of 105 KLD, three elevators, and three staircases. Common areas provide 150 sq m on the first floor and 800 sq m on the 11th floor, along with an anganwadi and 14 commercial units. Both complexes also feature escalators.
CSML’s second tower was completed at a cost of Rs 44.01 crore and features 195 residential units, arranged around a central courtyard over 13 floors. The ground floor will house 18 commercial units and parking facilities. The tower covers 10,221 sq m and includes three lifts and staircases, with each residential unit measuring 350 sq ft. Rooftop solar panels are installed in the common area, and there are provisions for parking 68 cars and 17 bikes.
The primary beneficiaries will be landless families from Koncheri, Thuruthy, and Kalvathy colonies. Following the inauguration, there might be a delay in relocating residents due to procedural requirements. The 32 commercial units in both buildings can be leased to support maintenance and operational expenses.
This project was initially proposed in 2013 but faced delays due to various factors, including cost increases. While most construction is completed, work on sewage, drinking water storage, and waste processing systems is still underway. Authorities have assured that one of the two septage treatment plants is operational, allowing for occupancy to proceed without delays.
