Kochi Corporation faces four‑month deadline to evict and rehabilitate 126 families from Konthuruthy river poramboke

The newly constituted governing committee of Kochi Corporation is confronted with the challenging task of evicting encroachers from the Konthuruthy river poramboke and ensuring their rehabilitation within four months.

In an interim order dated December 16, 2025, the High Court directed eviction with police assistance while entrusting the Kochi Corporation and the Revenue department to finalise and implement rehabilitation measures within the four-month period. At the subsequent meeting convened by the Chief Secretary on December 31 to initiate rehabilitation measures, it was recommended that out of the ₹14 lakh per unit estimated for rehabilitation, ₹4.75 lakh – over and above the ₹9.25 lakh permissible under the LIFE Mission – should be raised by the Corporation.

The maiden meeting of the new council, scheduled for January 6, is set to consider this proposal. “The idea is to reach a workable proposal through consultations at the council meeting. In any case, we may have to approach the court seeking an extension of time beyond four months to complete the procedures,” said Mayor V.K. Minimol.

Prior to the interim verdict, the High Court had, on August 22, 2025, directed the eviction of encroachments from the Konthuruthy river poramboke land, restoration of the land to its original condition, and rehabilitation of the evicted. A Chief Secretary-level meeting then decided that rehabilitation facilities should be arranged parallel to the eviction. The Kochi Corporation subsequently conducted a survey and identified 126 families who would be rendered homeless by the eviction.

The land initially identified for rehabilitation at Puthuvype and Palluruthy had to be rejected due to CRZ restrictions. As per the directions of the Chief Secretary’s meeting dated September 11, 2023, 1.40 acres were identified in Vazakala village in Kanayannur taluk. However, the beneficiaries rejected the proposal, citing the distance from their present residence and the proximity to Chitrapuzha river, which they feared could pose problems in the future.

Subsequently, the District Collector and Mayor held a meeting with representatives of the beneficiaries, who agreed to vacate if compensation was paid. While the Corporation agreed to pay the maximum permissible amount under the LIFE Mission, the beneficiaries demanded higher compensation. Following this, the Corporation prepared a rehabilitation project estimating ₹14 lakh per unit. However, under existing rules, only ₹9.25 lakh per unit – ₹5.25 lakh for purchasing land and ₹4 lakh for house construction – was permissible.

The then Development Standing Committee Chairman suggested that the Corporation consider the rehabilitation project as a special case, after which the Minister for Local Self-Governments directed the Corporation to examine the matter.