Save Thrissur campaign launched against bid to block city's development

The Hindu

2 days ago

A 'Save Thrissur' public campaign has been launched alleging that a group of people, including real estate agents and certain officials linked to the Thrissur Corporation, are trying to torpedo development of the city.
Congress councillor in the Corporation John Daniel, who initiated the campaign, accused this group with vested interests of deliberately helping to issue fake structural fitness certificates to aging and unsafe buildings in Thrissur city and surrounding areas to prevent their demolition.
In a letter to the Mayor, Mr. Daniel demanded a Vigilance investigation into the alleged issuance of fake structural stability (fitness) certificates. According to the complaint, owners of dilapidated and unsafe buildings were illegally obtaining stability certificates — often without any scientific assessment.
'They are risking people's lives by issuing fitness certificates for buildings that are clearly unfit to occupy. One of the buildings near Swaraj Round, which collapsed recently, had allegedly received such a certificate, raising questions about the credibility of the process,' he noted.
A list of 271 buildings identified as unsafe had been prepared during the tenure of the previous council, but many of these buildings were later certified as structurally stable, which stopped further action, Mr. Daniel pointed out.
'There is evidence that intermediaries are collecting large sums from building owners in exchange for fitness certificates.'
He even accused the Mayor of concealing a structural report that had declared a Corporation-owned building at Ayyanthole — previously housing the family court — as unfit and recommended for demolition. Despite the warning, several businesses continued to operate from the premises, he said.
The councillor alleged that these actions were part of a long-term attempt to reduce land value in the city by the land mafia. 'Their aim is to undermine the importance of Swaraj Round by shifting commercial and residential activity to the outskirts — a move that will benefit private real estate interests. '
He also questioned whether parts of the Corporation's Master Plan, including the Ring Road and mixed-use zone projects, were connected to this strategy.
The letter demanding a Vigilance investigation into the misuse of structural stability certificates marks the first step of the 'Save Thrissur' campaign, he said.
He said the movement would continue with further public action and legal steps to ensure accountability and to address the concerns about the city's stalled development.