Tue Apr 22 16:35:39 UTC 2025: ## 77 Chander Kunj Apartment Owners Opt for Buyback Amidst Demolition Order

**Kochi, Kerala – April 22, 2025** – Seventy-seven out of 208 owners of the Chander Kunj Army towers in Kochi have chosen a buyback option instead of facing demolition and reconstruction, as ordered by the Kerala High Court. This decision was announced following a meeting of a district committee overseeing the project. The committee, chaired by the Collector, will include this information in an affidavit to be submitted to the court on May 21.

The High Court, in a previous hearing, had directed the residents’ association to report the number of owners opting for the buyback within a week. The court noted that several allottees preferred this option to the lengthy demolition and reconstruction process.

The committee has proposed a tentative schedule to relocate residents by June 30th, with demolition to be completed within four months. Outstanding issues include compensation for interior work, relocation costs, and rent during the reconstruction period. The court is expected to address the rent issue at the next hearing. A recent survey found that comparable 3-BHK apartments rent for ₹35,000 to ₹38,000, significantly higher than the ₹21,000-₹23,000 initially proposed by the court.

Sajie Shankar, president of the Chander Kunj Welfare and Maintenance Society, stated that the residents’ association will discuss the committee’s decisions. He also noted that nearly 20 owners have approached the Kerala Real Estate Regulatory Authority (K-RERA) due to unmet promises regarding amenities, delayed delivery, and compensation for interior costs. The High Court has also instructed the committee to provide a detailed plan for demolition and reconstruction, including cost breakdowns, and to inform the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) about funding requirements.

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