CHENNAI: THE solitary tower at Moulivakkam, the twin of the ill-fated one that came down crashing over two years ago killing 61 workers, will finally be demolished on Wednesday.
The 11-storey building will be demolished on Wednesday afternoon using the implosion technique - use of controlled explosives - by a Tirupur-based private firm, which bagged the contract.
An official statement added that all precautionary measures have been taken to ensure that no danger is caused to people and adjoining constructions. However, to ensure complete safety, residents living within 100 metre radius of the endangered structure, as marked by revenue and public works departments, have been asked to move to safety.
Arrangements have been made for residents at SRI SAK Jai Maruthi Mahal in Mathananthapuram Main Road to accommodate residents.
The decision to demolish the building comes two days ahead of the hearing of a case in this regard on November 4. Over the past few months, several dates for demolition were announced and assurances were
given to the court, but the building could not be brought down due to various factors.
Four departments are deputed to oversee the demolition work - police, revenue, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and Public Works Department.
On June 28, 2014, a 11-storey under-construction apartment complex by Prime Sristi Housing Private Limited collapsed killing 61 people, almost all of them construction workers. Another block at the same site was ordered to be demolished by the Kancheepuram collector after an enquiry by the state government found that this structure was also unsafe.
But Madras High Court on November 26, 2015 quashed the district collector's order citing procedural violations in issuing the order. The State government has appealed against the High Court verdict in the Supreme Court which had ordered its demolition after a committee submitted its report to apex court.