Pact signed appointing IIT Madras as consultant for fixing structural issues in Mundamveli apartment complex

As many as 77 families from the erstwhile P&T Colony near the Perandoor Canal, Kadavanthra, had moved into the Mundamveli apartment complex built by the GCDA in January 2024.  File photo

After a long delay, the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) and IIT Madras have entered into an agreement appointing the latter as the consultant for fixing structural issues plaguing the P&T Apartment complex at Mundamveli after the State government issued an order sanctioning it.

IIT Madras has been given four months to study and recommend lasting solutions to sustain the apartment complex in the long term. Residents of the apartment complex have been complaining about ever-worsening leakage during rain ever since they moved into it last year.

The signing of the agreement has paved the way for the premier institute to issue the building stability certificate, a precondition for undertaking truss work at the apartment sanctioned by the district administration and to be executed by the Kochi Corporation. The truss work is considered an immediate temporary fix for the leakage.

“IIT Madras will submit a design based on various factors like balance and weight for carrying out the truss work. Simultaneously, it will also conduct examinations and a slew of tests to identify the structural issues of the apartment complex and make recommendations. The GCDA will implement those recommendations by roping in an expert agency,” said GCDA sources.

There was a delay by the State government in giving its approval to appoint IIT Madras as the consultant despite the emergency nature of the situation. Attempts were also made to rope in IIT Palakkad in between.

“Our primary demand is that the building be examined to verify whether it is safe and habitable. Substantial leaks from bathrooms and sidewalls must be completely resolved. Cracks are increasingly appearing on the walls of all apartments, and that should be addressed as well,” said Abhilash P. Parameswaran, an office-bearer of the residents’ association. Residents were gearing up to stage a protest starting with laying siege to the road in front of the apartment if there was no progress in implementing corrective measures, he added.

As many as 77 families from the erstwhile P&T Colony near the Perandoor Canal, Kadavanthra, moved into the apartment complex built by the GCDA in January 2024. However, some apartments began leaking during the first showers in February that year, and soon, nearly all were affected by the relentless rain. The situation has only worsened since then.

Published - June 03, 2025 08:11 pm IST