Building tilt prompts Kochi Corpn. to seek mandatory licence

Kochi Corporation will seek an amendment in the Kerala Municipal Building Rules (KMBR) making it mandatory to obtain a pre-license from the Corporation before removing an existing structure from its original level, first to address waterlogging.

The move comes after the recent incident where a two-storey building, while being lifted, leaned over the adjacent multi-storey commercial structure on MG Road.

Mayor VK Minimol said, “Currently the Company has little control over building lifting works as no license is required, even though it has serious implications in terms of structural stability. The Company does not have a clear idea of ​​the scope of such works. Unlike in the past when they were rare, they now seem to be common. We will write to the Minister of Local Self-Government and the Prime Minister to make a license from the Company mandatory for such lifting works.”

Meanwhile, Kochi Corporation issued a notice to the owner of the building on Friday, July 10, 2026, to demolish the building.

The building owner was asked to demolish the building at his own expense, otherwise the Company will carry out the demolition and collect the costs from him. According to company records, the building, which was a 60-year-old house, collapsed on the evening of Tuesday, July 7, 2026, due to the hydraulic jack used to lift it.

On Thursday, July 9, 2026, a team from the Company, led by Ms. Minimol, visited the site after failure to comply with a notice issued on Wednesday directing the demolition to be carried out within 24 hours. “We found the situation extremely unstable and thereupon issued an ultimatum to demolish the structure by Thursday. The demolition will be carried out under the supervision of our engineering wing officials. We have also issued an eviction notice to the tenants of the commercial building where the leaning structure remains precariously balanced till the demolition. If necessary, arrangements will also be made for possible evacuation of the residents of the Coconut Board office located behind the affected building,” he said.

The lower part of the building, which fell over in the incident, was damaged.

Corporation Public Works Standing Committee chairman TK Asharaf, Development Standing Committee chairperson Shakrita Sureshbabu, divisional councilor KVP Krishnakumar, Corporation Secretary PS Shibu, chief engineer and supervisor were also part of the Corporation team that visited the site.