The Kerala Coastal Zone Management Authority (KCZMA) has again come out against the newly started Hotel Crowne Plaza, Maradu, by issuing another notice to the Maradu municipality to demolish a part of the hotel.
The KCZMA has found that the hotel has violated the coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) norms and the decision was taken after the body’s meeting held this month at Thiruvananthapuram.
The copy of the notice drafted by KCZMA member secretary K K Ramachandran to the secretary of the Maradu municipality on November 8 stated that the construction was made on the banks of Kundanoor Thoodu which is a part of the Vembanad backwaters and is influenced by tidal action.
On the banks of the backwaters, the area up to a maximum of 100 metres on the landward side of the hide tide line (HTL) falls under the CRZ.
Where the width of the backwater is less than 100 metres, the backwater falls under the CRZ.
According to KCZMA, the site is covered in map no. 34 A of the Coastal Zone Management Plan of Kerala.
The site inspection report has revealed that, the width of the backwaters is 72 metres and the CRZ of the site referred extends up to 72 metres on the landward side from the HTL.
As per map no 34, the construction site falls under the ‘No Development Zone’ of CRZ III, where new constructions are not permissible.
Maradu municipality chairman Devaraj said that he has heard of the notice but is yet to receive it.
“Once we receive the notice, we will seek the view of the High Court. Since there is a case in the High Court in this regard, we will require the consent of court.
After the High Court’s approval, the illegal construction will be demolished,” he said.