Security clearance deadlock: Fort Kochi Twin Towers await handover 10 months after inauguration

KOCHI: Ten months after its inauguration by ex-Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Fort Kochi Twin Towers housing project built by the Kochi Corporation for the homeless remains unhanded over due to national security clearance hurdles.

The delay stems from the project's location in a strategic zone near vital defence and maritime installations, including the naval training centre INS Dronacharya, the Southern Naval Command headquarters, the Cochin Port, the LNG Terminal, and the Vallarpadam Container Terminal. Following directives from the Intelligence Bureau, the Corporation is currently taking steps to obtain police clearance for the beneficiaries. The compound has also been designed to incorporate several security conditions, including a police control room.

Further complicating the situation, complaints had earlier been raised over the fact that all 394 beneficiaries across the two towers belong to a single religious community.

To address the deadlock, Local Self-Government Department Special Secretary T.V. Anupama convened a discussion meeting, which was attended by Ernakulam City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar, Corporation Secretary P.S. Shibu, and other officials.

Constructed over nearly a decade to accommodate colony residents from Thuruthy, Kalvathy, and Konchery in Mattancherry, the overall project cost stands at Rs 85.75 crore. The first tower, comprising 12 stories and 199 housing units measuring 300 square feet each, was built under the Rajeev Awas Yojana at a cost of Rs 41.74 crore. The second tower, featuring 13 stories and 195 housing units measuring 320 square feet each, was constructed under the Kochi Smart City Mission for Rs 44.01 crore.

Out of the total 394 flats, allotment has been completed for 218 individuals. However, 110 applicants failed to submit official documents proving they do not own a home.

Kochi Mayor Adv. V.K. Minimol stated that steps are currently underway to establish security norms, and authorities are making every effort to hand over the flats as soon as possible.

Former Mayor Adv. M. Anilkumar described the delay in the handover as a lapse. Noting that there were no security clearance issues during the construction phase, he urged that the issue be resolved expeditiously.