Sneha Bhavan in Palluruthy, where 65 children are being taken care of by the Catholic religious order Salesians of Don Bosco on behalf of the Kochi Corporation, will get a new building in place of the one that is being demolished now, Corporation Council’s Welfare Standing Committee chairperson Essy Joseph has said.
She refuted allegations that the corporation did not have a plan of action for one of the city’s best-known charity homes when it decided to demolish the old building. It has been alleged that the old Sneha Bhavan building developed cracks and a portion of it appeared on the verge of collapse after piling works began for a residential apartment complex in its neighbourhood.
Compensation
Former MP and district secretary of the CPI (M) P. Rajeeve, who visited Sneha Bhavan, said the corporation should seek compensation from the builder. He said the old Sneha Bhavan building had started developing cracks way back in 2012 when the piling started.
While it has been alleged that the corporation is taking a stand helpful to the builder, councillor R. Thyagarajan said there was no lapse on the part of the corporation authority.
He said the decision to demolish a portion of the old building was taken to protect the children as the building was in a poor condition. The demolition was permitted by the Mayor, he added.
Ms. Joseph said the corporation had set aside Rs. 1 crore from its funds for welfare and children for the new building. Of this, Rs. 50 lakh was being immediately sanctioned for starting the work.
It is learnt that the corporation plans to build a three-storey building in place of the west-end portion of the old building. The new building has over 10,000 sq. ft. area, which would be enough to meet the needs of the children. After the demolition work began, the children’s study hall has been shifted to a make-shift shack while their dormitory has been maintained in the old hall. “The refectory now doubles up as place of entertainment, prayer and recreation,” said Fr. P. O. Varghese of Sneha Bhavan.