Kerala govt to construct two townships for Wayanad landslide survivors

Five months after the devastating landslide in Kerala’s Wayanad, the state government on Tuesday, January 1 announced the construction of two townships for the survivors of the landslide. The townships will be built in Elstone Estate and Nedumpala Estate, in the Wayanad district. The construction works have been assigned to the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society, with KIIFCON overseeing the project. 

In Meppadi panchayat, multiple landslides occurred in the early hours of July 30, claiming over 400 lives. 

“The final list of the beneficiaries will be released on January 25,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the media. He also ensured that, even after the resettlement, the ownership of the land in the disaster-hit areas would remain with the respective owners. “To prevent the formation of forest in landslide hit areas, the government will take measures such as collective farming,” he said, adding that the new homes will be given in the name of the survivors but re-sale will not be allowed.

65.41 acres of Harrison Malayalam Estate in Nedumbala in Meppadi grama panchayat and 78.73 acres of land of Elston Estate in Kalpetta will be used to build the townships.

Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan announced the cabinet approval and shared a video model that showcased the two different townships. “At the Kalpetta township, every family will get 5 cents and a 1000 sq feet home, besides there will be public amenities also. Construction will be under sustainable practices and since this area is in Seismic Zone 3 all constructions will be in the Re-Inforced Concrete (RCC) model. There will be commercial spaces also here. While at the other township in Meppadi panchayat, every family will get 10 cents and a 1000 sq feet house,” she added.

According to the press release from CM, 38 sponsors have come forward to build homes for the survivors and the proceeds from the sponsorships will be deposited in a dedicated bank account. A web portal will be available for the sponsors to see the progress of the townships. Additionally, a special officer will be appointed to oversee the implementation.

On December 20, the government released a beneficiary list for the township, however, it excluded around 200 families. Following the release of the list, the Janakeeya Munnani, a group formed by the survivors of the landslide, staged a sit-in protest on Saturday, December 21. Later the government promised to release a new list within 45 days. 

(With IANS inputs)