Ten months after relocating P&T Colony residents to GCDA's Mundamveli apartment complex under the Life Mission housing scheme, structural damage persists despite initial waterproofing. Residents began protests following unresolved leakages reported during May rains, demanding urgent repairs. GCDA cited design flaws and thermal expansion cracks as causes but delayed major repairs pending state technical committee approval for a INR 25 lakh proposal. Minor repair tenders are in progress, while state inspections continue. The situation highlights gaps in public housing project oversight, accountability, and maintenance. Authorities must expedite approvals, ensure durable fixes, and implement better planning to regain public trust.
Even after 10 months of relocating the residents of P and T Colony to the newly constructed apartment complex at Mundamveli by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), the authority has failed to address the structural damage in the buildings.
Residents began protests against GCDA months ago after leakages were reported in the apartments. However, major repair works have been delayed as the state government's technical committee has yet to approve them. Earlier, GCDA stated that repairs would commence after the rainy season. The project, completed in September 2023, housed 77 beneficiaries under the Life Mission housing scheme, with residents moving in on January 31. Despite initial waterproofing efforts following leakage issues during summer rains in May, the problem persists, prompting intensified protests last week demanding a permanent solution.
A GCDA official revealed that clearance from a special technical committee is required due to the estimated cost of INR 25 lakh for repairs, and a proposal has already been submitted to the government. A state-level technical team has inspected the site based on this proposal. Additionally, tenders for minor repairs, such as bathroom leakages and issues with rainwater entry, are expected to be issued soon.
GCDA earlier attributed the damage to design flaws in the building, constructed by the Thrissur District Labour Contract Society. Initial inspections by GCDA's technical experts identified water seepage through cracks caused by the thermal expansion of the concrete structure as the root cause of the issue.
The ongoing challenges faced by the Mundamveli residents underline critical gaps in the construction and maintenance of public housing projects. GCDA's inability to promptly address the structural issues has not only inconvenienced the residents but also raised questions about accountability and oversight. Moving forward, it is imperative for authorities to expedite approvals, implement durable solutions, and prevent similar occurrences in future housing schemes. Timely action and efficient planning are essential to restoring public trust and ensuring the success of government initiatives like Life Mission.
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