Kochi families face eviction delay as Corporation seeks court extension

126 Families Face Uncertain Future Along Konthuruthy River

The fate of 126 families along the Konthuruthy river puramboke is uncertain. A meeting held by the Kochi Corporation did not lead to any clear solutions. The Corporation decided to approach the Kerala High Court for more time regarding eviction and rehabilitation.

The Corporation will form a 10-member committee. This committee will include two councillors from the affected divisions to represent the interests of the families.

Background of the Situation

The meeting was called by the newly elected governing committee of the Corporation. Families had complained that neither the court nor the Corporation addressed their grievances. An interim order from the High Court on December 16, 2025, directed eviction with police assistance. The Kochi Corporation and the Revenue department were tasked with finalizing and implementing rehabilitation measures within four months.

At a meeting on December 31, 2025, the Chief Secretary recommended that the Corporation raise ₹4.75 lakh for rehabilitation. This amount is over the ₹9.25 lakh allowed under the LIFE Mission, bringing the total estimated cost to ₹14 lakh per unit.

Mayor’s Statement and Next Steps

Mayor V.K. Minimol stated that the Assembly election notification is expected next month. The Corporation has little time to resolve the issue. They plan to approach the court on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, for an extension of the deadline. A delegation led by the Mayor will seek appointments with the Chief Minister and the Finance Minister on January 22 for assistance.

Ms. Minimol noted that even if the Corporation bridges the gap in funding, it would need the State government’s permission. An action council was formed, but there was no contact point for the affected families. Therefore, the formation of the 10-member committee was recommended to submit meeting minutes.

Concerns from the Konthuruthy Action Council

The Konthuruthy Action Council expressed frustration over the lack of clarity on rehabilitation or compensation. Convener P.B. Siju stated, “The houses are in very bad shape, endangering the lives of occupants. But with eviction looming, spending on maintenance is futile. We will resist any eviction move without clarity on rehabilitation or compensation.”

Siju also questioned how the ₹14 lakh figure was determined. He pointed out that the court verdict suggested compensation should be around ₹19 lakh per family. He added, “We are ordinary people who cannot afford litigation to fight for our rights, and that is why politicians keep exploiting us.”