Supertech said it will modify the project which will also be "beneficial for the environment" (File)
Demolish only one tower, real estate developer Supertech has said in its plea filed before the Supreme Court against its demolition order of 40-storey twin towers at its Emerald Court housing project in Noida.
The towers house over 900 flats and were ordered to be demolished over the violation of construction by-laws.
"Demolish only one tower," petitioned Supertech, arguing that it will save crores of rupees.
The real estate giant in its plea informed the court that it has decided to modify the project which will also be "beneficial for the environment".
"If the modifications are allowed, it would save crores of resources from going to waste in as much as the applicant has already put materials worth crores of rupees in the construction of the two towers. The construction of the two towers has consumed steel and cement in huge quantities apart from various other materials, including human labour amounting to several crores of rupees which shall be rendered complete waste in the form of scrap," the developer stated in its plea.
The developer said demolition would leave a massive quantity of debris that will have to be dumped at a landfill site that is already overburdened.
"The same will add to the existing environmental issues which are already being faced by the said landfill sites, thus, further increasing the existing carbon footprint," stated Supertech.
Earlier, slamming the towers' illegal construction, the top court had ruled that there was collusion and an "unholy nexus" between Noida (New Okhla Industrial Development Area) authorities and the builders.
The top court had further ruled that the people who had bought homes in these projects must be refunded in two months, and the cost of demolition be borne by Supertech.
The court also demanded to know why and how the Noida authorities, in their "eternal wisdom", permitted large construction projects such as this in a designated 'green area'.
The two towers - Apex and Ceyane - of Supertech's Emerald Court Project - together have 915 apartments and 21 shops. Of these, initially, 633 flats were booked.