Tensions rise as corp evicts traders, demolishes shops
T'puram: Tensions rose at the century-old Connemara Market at Palayam where corporation staff evicted traders and demolished about 25 shops with the help of a large police force on Tuesday.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
According to the traders, corporation staff threw out articles from the shops. The owners shut their shops and raised slogans against the civic authorities for demolishing operational shops without ensuring proper rehabilitation.
Corporation's move is part of a Rs 55-crore redevelopment project under Smart City Mission to modernise the market's infrastructure. However, traders allege that the demolition violates the high court order mandating adequate safety and infrastructure at temporary resettlement sites before any eviction.
"We resisted corporation's attempt. As there were 200 policemen we couldn't oppose it, and they demolished the shops. It is a cruel act by the corporation. However, we will approach the court again. We won't move into the new facility," said Palayam Connemara Merchants Association secretary Rajas J.
The merchants' association organised a shutdown of all shops and led a march, joined by families and supporters, to the corporation office.
The corporation, along with Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority (Trida), constructed a temporary facility behind the existing market to house vendors during the redevelopment. These consist of three prefabricated blocks, designed to accommodate up to 460 traders, with dedicated sections for fish vendors. However, several traders claim they haven't been allotted their new spaces yet.
Traders are firm in their refusal to relocate until all safety and infrastructure concerns are addressed.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
According to a senior official, the corporation has to complete acquisition proceedings. "Though we issued directives several times, they didn't relocate. Hence, we had to do it forcefully. However, all traders will be rehabilitated properly," he said.
Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi state president and national secretary S S Manoj strongly condemned city corporation's move. He called the act inhumane and lawless, saying only those devoid of empathy and legal respect could execute such an operation.
Despite assurances to the court and traders, four police vehicles accompanied by corporation-appointed workers arrived to raze operating shops without ensuring safe relocation, he said.
This was the final attempt to forcefully evict traders into a new building that neither meets safety standards nor complies with court-ordered conditions, Manoj alleged.
Using forged affidavits to mislead courts and compromising the safety of traders and consumers is completely unacceptable, he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Allahabad HC directs restoration of Sambhal MP's electricity connection
The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd to restore the electricity connection at Samajwadi Party MP Zia-Ur Rehman's house, provided he deposits a permissible amount of Rs. 6 lakhs to maintain his appeal. A division bench, comprising Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh and Justice Sandeep Jain, passed the order on a writ petition filed by the Sambhal MP in the electricity theft case and gave Rehman two weeks to deposit the money. "Submission is that even if the inspection report and adverse facts allegedly found therein are accepted, no jurisdiction arose with the respondent authorities to make assessment for a period of 12 years," the court observed in its June 4 order. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She Was Everyone's Dream Girl In 90's, This Is Her Recently. Investructor Undo "The maximum period for which assessment may have been made could not exceed one year. By breaching the statutory period of assessment, wholly unnatural and arbitrary demand of Rs 1 crore and 91 lakhs has been raised. The petitioner cannot be made to deposit 50% of such illegal demand to maintain an appeal," the court said. The petitioner, Rehman, through its counsel, submitted that he is willing to deposit Rs 6 lakhs to maintain his appeal. Live Events The court granted the Corporation three weeks to file a reply in the matter and fixed the next hearing for July 2. In December 2024, the electricity department imposed a fine of Rs 1.91 crore on the MP following an inspection at his residence in Sambhal's Deepa Sarai area, where the officials allegedly discovered power theft .
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
After 7-year legal battle, Chandigarh Armed Forces Tribunal orders Rs 16k monthly pension to veteran, Rs 20 lakh in arrears
It took the intervention of the ex-servicemen's grievances cell and a legal battle that lasted seven years for Gurpal Singh, 80, a former soldier of the 5 Sikh Regiment, to get his rightful pension and military benefits. Last month, the Armed Forces Tribunal in Chandigarh finally ordered the Army to grant the resident of Andheri village in Kharar a 'reservist pension', along with 10 years of arrears. 'The most significant and prestigious thing for me is having been accorded the status of an ex-serviceman,' he said. As per the verdict dated May 8, 2025, Singh will now receive Rs 20 lakh in arrears, Rs 16,000 per month as pension, free medical treatment for family members, access to the Army canteen, and other benefits accorded to ex-servicemen. Singh said he was recruited into the Army on October 28, 1961, and served until October 27, 1970, completing nine years of active service. His enlistment was based on a '7/8 year condition (seven years of regular service and eight years reserve)'. However, the Army denied him a pension, citing 'non-availability of position' post regular service. In 2018, Singh approached Lt Col (Retd) S S Sohi, the head of the Mohali Ex-Servicemen Grievances Cell, who promptly filed a case before the Chandigarh Armed Forces Tribunal. The Army initially contended that 'no old records were available' to support Singh's claim. Advocate R N Ojha appeared for Singh, overcoming multiple legal hurdles, including justifying the delay in approaching the Tribunal, and proving that his service terms were violated. Despite the odds, the Tribunal eventually ruled in Singh's favour.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Mumbai Apple India deal: 5 key facts about the brand's upcoming 12,616 sq ft store in Borivali
Borivali, a locality in Mumbai's western suburbs, has welcomed a high-profile new tenant, the Apple Store at Sky City Mall, developed by listed real estate firm Oberoi Realty. Over the past decade, Borivali has transformed into a premium retail hub, say real estate experts. In addition to the newly opened Sky City Mall (launched in March 2025), the area boasts at least three prominent retail high streets that attract leading global and domestic brands. With this growing commercial presence, 'Brand Borivali' is fast emerging as a strong contender to established retail destinations like Andheri, Bandra, and even South Mumbai. Apple India has leased 12,616 sq ft retail space in Mumbai's Borivali suburb for ₹17.35 lakh monthly rent as it prepares to launch its second store in Maharashtra and fourth in the country, according to documents accessed by real estate data analytics firm Propstack. The lease transaction registered on May 28, 2025, is for a total period of 130 months (nearly 11 years), with a rent escalation of 15% every three years. Apple has also paid a security deposit of ₹1.04 crore as part of the deal. The document showed that the lease has a lock-in period of 10 years and 10 months, effective from the commencement date. Also Read: Apple India leases 8000 sq ft of retail space in Bengaluru for ₹2 crore annual rent as Foxconn facility nears completion The lease agreement signed between Apple India and Oberoi Realty shows that the per sq ft rental for the Apple Store is over ₹137 per sq ft. However, experts opine that the rentals in Sky City Mall are up to ₹1,000 per sq ft. The lower rental in this case is due to revenue sharing between Apple India and Oberoi Realty. The agreement shows that above the per-month rental amount, Apple India will share revenue of 2% with Oberoi Realty for up to 42 months and 2.5% thereafter, starting from the 43rd month. Vikas Oberoi, CMD of Oberoi Realty, said during the company's Q4FY25 meeting in April 2025 that the per-square-foot rental in Sky City Mall is between ₹400 and ₹1,000. The per sq ft rental is different in Sky City Mall for different sizes, depending on the floor. "We have rentals up to ₹1,000 a sq ft on carpet area. So, between ₹400 and ₹1,000, it's something like that. So, it all depends on who is coming in. We have got a very nice gold souk, a special area where we have got all the jewellers there. We have very high-end watches in one segment, so they are very interesting. This is literally one of the best malls I would say in the country, the way it is designed, and the feedback that we get, it's really, really nice. And these are the deals signed at Rs.1,000 carpet," Oberoi had said. The mall is part of the Oberoi Sky City project, developed by Oberoi Realty along the Western Express Highway (WEH) in Borivali East, Mumbai. Spanning a gross leasable area (GLA) of approximately 12.07 lakh sq. ft. (with a leasable carpet area of around 7.24 lakh sq. ft.), the mall is a key component of the 25-acre mixed-use development 'Sky City,' undertaken by Incline Realty Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. According to a March 2023 research report by Motilal Oswal, around 3,200 families are expected to live in the vicinity, offering easy access to the mall. Its strategic location, with connectivity to both exit points of the Metro line, is expected to boost footfall. INOX has already signed on as an anchor tenant with a 10-screen multiplex, while leasing for the remaining space is underway. The report adds that the mall is expected to stabilise by FY25 and has the potential to generate annual rentals of ₹2.5 billion. Also Read: Mumbai real estate: Apple India leases space in Borivali mall for ₹2 cr annual rent to open fourth store in the country According to real estate experts, Borivali has become a magnet for premium retail, boasting at least three prominent high streets featuring luxury jewellery stores, high-end fashion, watches, footwear, and branded department stores. 'Sky City Mall in Borivali East is already commanding rentals of up to ₹1,000 per sq ft, highlighting the growing demand for quality retail space in the suburb,' said Chintan Vasani, partner at Wisebiz Developers, a real estate firm active in the Borivali-Dahisar belt. 'The mall is poised to compete directly with Borivali's established high streets. We're seeing a ripple effect; brands in Borivali West are already renegotiating rental rates. While this may be a short-term correction, the long-term trend is clear: retail brands will continue to expand in Borivali.' The surge in interest is also driven by rising aspirations and disposable incomes of the area's middle and upper-middle class. 'Local consumers show strong, consistent demand, with luxury watch showrooms offering pieces priced between ₹1 lakh and ₹1 crore,' Vasani added. The redevelopment of ageing buildings is also paving the way for new high streets across the city, not just in Borivali. Mira Road, which is around 30% more affordable than Borivali, currently has a larger number of retail high streets and malls, reflecting shifting demand-supply dynamics. With its expanding retail footprint, 'Brand Borivali' is fast emerging as a strong challenger to traditional retail hotspots like Andheri, Bandra, and even South Mumbai, he said. Also Read: Top real estate deal in Mumbai's suburbs: 4 BHK apartment in Borivali sells for ₹14 crore at ₹56,000 per sq ft According to data from CRE Matrix, 122 leave and license agreements have been registered at Sky City Mall, with around 83 of them recorded in 2025 alone. Notable brands in the mall include Titan, Puma, Skechers, Adidas, Safari, Starbucks, and INOX.
