ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS

India blows up high-rises

Two luxury waterfront high-rises in southern India were reduced to rubble in controlled explosions yesterday in a rare example of authorities getting tough on builders who break environmental rules.

The 19-floor H2O Holy Faith complex of 90 flats—overlooking Kerala state’s famous lush backwaters—was the first to go down, collapsing in just a matter of few seconds. A thick grey cloud of dust and debris cascaded down after officials detonated explosives drilled into the walls of the building, which had been occupied for several years until the Supreme Court ruled last May that it was constructed in violation of coastal regulations.

Minutes later, the twin towers of Alfa Serene—separated by a narrow stretch of backwaters—tumbled down with an ear-splitting noise. The remaining two complexes will be razed on Sunday.

A crowd of onlookers who flocked to nearby terraces and roads watched the demolition, after officials onboard helicopters conducted aerial surveys.India has seen a construction boom in recent years but developers have often ridden roughshod over safety and other regulations, and with the connivance of local officials.

The inhabitants of the razed apartment blocks in the well-off Maradu district of Kochi city had bought their 343 flats in good faith and now face a lengthy legal fight to recoup their money. Some had invested their life savings.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS

India blows up high-rises

Two luxury waterfront high-rises in southern India were reduced to rubble in controlled explosions yesterday in a rare example of authorities getting tough on builders who break environmental rules. The 19-floor H2O Holy Faith complex of 90 flatsoverlooking Kerala states famous lush backwaterswas the first to go down, collapsing in just a matter of few seconds. A thick grey cloud of dust and debris cascaded down after officials detonated explosives drilled into the walls of the building, which had been occupied for several years until the Supreme Court ruled last May that it was constructed in violation of coastal regulations. Minutes later, the twin towers of Alfa Sereneseparated by a narrow stretch of backwaterstumbled down with an ear-splitting noise. The remaining two complexes will be razed on Sunday. A crowd of onlookers who flocked to nearby terraces and roads watched the demolition, after officials onboard helicopters conducted aerial surveys.India has seen a construction boom in recent years but developers have often ridden roughshod over safety and other regulations, and with the connivance of local officials. The inhabitants of the razed apartment blocks in the well-off Maradu district of Kochi city had bought their 343 flats in good faith and now face a lengthy legal fight to recoup their money. Some had invested their life savings.