The district administration has started demolishing the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC)-owned Mazhavil Restaurant on the banks of Periyar in Aluva. A team of officials led by Additional District Magistrate B Ramachandran reached the spot on Tuesday to implement the order of the Supreme Court to dismantle the restaurant set up by violating environment norms.
“The dismantling work is being carried out under the supervision of a team of officials from the district administration, Revenue Department and Public Works Department,” said Ramachandran.
He said the skeleton could be demolished easily, but the labourers were finding it difficult to demolish the concrete structure. “Besides, we also have to see to it that no debris falls into the Periyar. Therefore, more time would be required to raze the concrete structure,” the ADM said.
In July 2013, the Apex court issued an order to demolish the restaurant built by the DTPC. However, the authorities concerned were reluctant to comply with it. Though the district administration filed a review petition, the court in February ordered that the structure be demolished within one hour of receiving the order by using either the services of the Central forces or bulldozers.
On Monday, the Court had initiated contempt proceedings against the state government, Ernakulam district administration, the District Tourism Promotion Council and Aluva Municipality for non-compliance of the court decision.
The officials concerned were asked to appear before court within two weeks’ time.
The order was issued on the contempt petition filed by Association for Environmental Protection (AEP), Aluva, which initiated a legal battle against the construction of the restaurant.
Though environmentalists made a hue and cry when the work of the restaurant commenced in 2005 the DTPC went ahead with the project.
The restaurant was inaugurated in 2009 and later leased out to a private party.