More deadlines missed in Chander Kunj rebuild as AWHO opposes takeover of apartments

The handover and takeover of the 208 apartments in Towers ‘B’ and ‘C’ of the Chander Kunj Army Apartment Complex at Silver Sand Island, Vyttila, Kochi, remain stalled, delaying the demolition and reconstruction process. | Photo Credit: H. VIBHU

Though the Kerala High Court’s decision not to stay the District Collector’s Committee directive to the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) to take over possession of the 208 apartments in Towers ‘B’ and ‘C’ of the Chander Kunj Army apartment Complex at Silver Sand Island, Vyttila, has come as a relief to apartment owners, more deadlines for the demolition and reconstruction of the apartments have fallen by the wayside.

The Committee meeting on October 1, 2026, had directed AWHO to begin taking over the apartments on October 5, 2026, and complete the process within a fortnight. It was then to hand them over to the Kanayannur Tahsildar, who, in turn, was to transfer them to Mumbai-based Edifice Engineering for demolition. However, AWHO declined to comply with the directive and again ignored the Collector’s notice to begin the takeover on October 12, 2026. Instead, the agency filed a writ petition before the Kerala High Court challenging the Collector’s order.