Maradu is a region located in the state of Kerala, India. It is situated near the city of Kochi, specifically on the outskirts of Ernakulam. Maradu gained significant attention in recent years due to a high-profile real estate controversy.
Maradu is located in the Ernakulam district of the state of Kerala, India. It is situated on the eastern banks of the Vembanad Lake, which is a significant backwater lake in Kerala. Maradu is approximately 5 kilometers away from the city of Kochi, which is a major commercial and industrial hub in Kerala.
The geographical coordinates of Maradu are approximately 9.9477° N latitude and 76.3323° E longitude. The municipality is well-connected to other parts of the Ernakulam district and the state through roadways, with easy access to the National Highway 66 (NH 66) and the Kochi Bypass Road.
Maradu’s proximity to the Vembanad Lake and its scenic surroundings make it an attractive location. However, it gained widespread attention due to the demolition of illegal apartment complexes, as mentioned earlier.
In 2019, the Supreme Court of India ordered the demolition of several apartment complexes in Maradu due to violations of coastal zone regulations. These buildings were constructed in violation of the permissible construction limits and posed a threat to the surrounding environment. The court’s decision resulted in the displacement of hundreds of residents and attracted widespread media coverage.
The demolition process took place in January 2020, and all four apartment complexes, namely Holy Faith H2O, Alfa Serene, Jain Coral Cove, and Golden Kayaloram, were razed to the ground using controlled implosion techniques. The demolition was a major event in the state and received both national and international attention.
The Maradu demolition case also highlighted the issue of unauthorized construction and environmental violations in Kerala, leading to a stricter enforcement of building regulations and increased scrutiny of real estate projects across the state.
Since the demolition, efforts have been made to restore the affected areas and compensate the displaced residents. The Kerala government has taken measures to ensure that such violations are not repeated and has implemented stricter regulations to prevent unauthorized construction in environmentally sensitive zones.
