12 Aug 2023

Property tax defaulters in Ernakulam district owe a collective sum of Rs 392 crore to local bodies as of August 5, 2023, with building owners under Kochi Corporation limits leading the list at Rs 252 crore. Kalamassery and Thrikkakara have the highest pending property tax amounts among municipalities. In contrast, property tax payment compliance is higher in panchayat limits. Corporation data indicates that only 20% of arrears were recovered in the last fiscal year, mainly due to the non-deduction of dues from building owners facing revenue recovery proceedings. The challenge lies in balancing revenue generation and providing relief through exemptions.Read more

09 Aug 2023

The long-awaited LIFE Mission housing project near Mundamveli, owned by the GCDA, is in its final stages, set to launch by month-end. With one block completed and the second nearly finished, relief is imminent for 80 families from P&T Colony who will relocate. The Thrissur District Labour Contract Co-operative Society is expediting work. The inauguration awaits Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's coordination. This project comprises two four-story buildings, 83 flats, essential amenities, and integrated rainwater harvesting, with an estimated cost of Rs 14.61 crore. The launch marks a significant step toward improved living conditions and collaboration in funding and execution.Read more

15 Jul 2023

Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) has announced its return to affordable housing projects after a hiatus of nearly three decades. The GCDA executive committee has approved plans to construct a twin tower apartment complex on a one-acre land in Gandhinagar, Cochin. The existing staff quarters will be demolished to make way for the project. The complex will target middle and high-income groups, offering modern amenities and improved living quarters for GCDA staff. With an estimated cost of Rs 60 crore, GCDA aims to sell the flats to generate revenue. The project also includes a commercial space with a shopping complex and supermarket.Read more

10 Jul 2023

Godrej Interio, the furniture solutions arm of Godrej & Boyce, has clinched the interior and MEP contract for Terminal 2's transit accommodation at Cochin International Airport. This development marks the third collaborative venture with Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) since 2015. Spread over 55,000 sq ft, the project includes a range of services, from civil finishes to fire protection. The revamped transit accommodation space is set to be unveiled to the public in 2024. This partnership reaffirms Godrej Interio's commitment to infrastructure development, underlining its contribution to India's economic growth.Read more

08 Jul 2023

Residents of Chander Kunj Army Towers in Silver Sand Island, Vytilla, are living in fear as serious structural issues have rendered their homes unsafe. Reports from reputable agencies have highlighted design flaws, substandard construction, and the use of low-quality materials. The buildings have a limited service life of only 10 years unless extensive strengthening measures are undertaken. Residents have taken legal action against the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) and accused them of concealing construction irregularities. The plight of the residents emphasizes the need for accountability and highlights the importance of stringent oversight in housing projects.Read more

PNT Reporter

19 Jun 2023

The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA)'s LIFE MISSION housing project in Mundamveli, Kochi, has encountered several delays in its completion. The contractor, Thrissur District Labour Contract Co-operative Society (TDLCCS), has struggled to meet deadlines due to the impact of monsoons on the project's progress. Despite completing most of the work in one block, substantial tasks remain unfinished in the other blocks, leading to missed deadlines. The project aims to rehabilitate residents of the P&T colony and comprises two four-storeyed buildings with a total of 83 flats.Read more

PNT Reporter

18 Apr 2023

The LIFE Mission’s housing project on the Greater Cochin Development Authority’s (GCDA) terrain, launched four years earlier in 2018, to rehabilitate P&T Colony residents has reached its final stage. Although the court mandated date of April 26 to shift residents is likely to be missed, officials are positive residents will receive possession before the May 31. According to sources, the inauguration of the building was to have been part of the chief minister’s 100-day programme.Read more