Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday, March 27 laid the foundation stone for a model township to rehabilitate those affected by the devastating landslides that struck Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad last year. The project, coming eight months after the disaster, aims to provide permanent housing and infrastructure for the victims.
The new township will be developed on 64 hectares of land acquired from Elstone Tea Estate near Kalpetta. Each house, built on seven cents of land, will have a floor area of 1,000 sq feet and will be constructed in small clusters. Speaking at the event, CM Pinarayi Vijayan reiterated the state’s commitment to rebuilding lives. “Kerala stands with the people who lost everything in one night. That is why, within eight months, we are starting this township. Whatever we promise, we will complete it at any cost. That is our tradition. We are grateful to those who have extended support, apart from contributions to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” he said.
While criticising the Union government for not extending any help to the rehabilitation efforts, the CM expressed gratitude to the Karnataka government for its Rs 20 crore aid, which will help construct 100 houses. Vijayan further acknowledged the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) for sponsoring another 100 houses.
The tea estate is set to receive a compensation of Rs 26.56 crore for the acquired land. The Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society has been entrusted with the construction of the single-storey homes and associated infrastructure. The first phase of rehabilitation will include 242 families, of which 175 have consented to resettlement in the township, while 67 families, preferring to live elsewhere, have opted for a compensation package of Rs 15 lakh each.
The government has imposed a condition barring ownership transfers of houses in the township for 12 years.
Despite the offer of resettlement, affected families will retain ownership of their original land in Chooralmala and Mundakkai under Meppadi panchayat, the worst-hit areas in the landslide. The disaster had caused massive devastation, claiming 266 lives, with nearly 200 people still reported missing. In total, 795 families—comprising 2,569 individuals—were displaced and housed in temporary camps, rental accommodations, and government facilities in Vythiri taluk to ensure immediate relief.