Phase I of Wayanad township inaugurated, keys handed over to 178 families

Hailing the reconstruction efforts in landslides-hit Wayanad as the latest instance of the ‘Kerala model,’ where people beyond all religious differences come together to support each other in distress, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday inaugurated the first phase of the Kalpetta township, built for the survivors of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides in July 2024. Keys to houses were handed over to 178 families.

Five-year-old Naisa, who lost her father and two siblings in the landslides, was one of the beneficiaries who received the keys from the Chief Minister. A video of her interaction with Mr. Vijayan on stage went viral on social media, with the CPI(M) online handles drawing a picture of contrast between the State government’s fulfilling of its promise and the Union government’s stand in denying relief to the victims. Young Naisa was seen with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in another viral video during his visit to Wayanad after the landslides.

‘Many obstacles’

“We cannot compensate for many losses. But through compassion, we can help people slowly recover from that loss. That is the characteristic of humanity. That is what we saw in the Mundakkai-Chooralmala survival. The world once again saw the Kerala model of love, compassion, and reciprocity. There were many obstacles, from propaganda to denial of Central assistance, from attempts to mislead the survivors and calls not to contribute to the relief fund. Some media outlets also tried to destroy the rehabilitation project by fabricating lies. But it became a reality due to the unity and support of the people,” said Mr. Vijayan.

Speaking on the efforts taken by the government for the victims, he said that ₹6,000 has been provided as monthly rent for all disaster survivors. An amount of ₹17.2 crore was spent for livelihood support, while ₹2 crore was spent to provide assistance to 21 children who lost their parents in the disaster. In addition, 858 families are also being provided with food coupons of ₹1,000 per month. The Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund received an assistance of ₹773.98 crore for the project.

Loan arrears of 555 survivors

He said that the State government had decided to fully assume the loan arrears of 555 disaster victims in various banks, amounting to ₹18.75 crore, with the Union government abdicating its responsibility. The township is testament to the work ethic of the Uralungal Labour Contract Society which deployed thousands of workers to complete the work with precise planning and extreme efficiency.

Along with the houses, the township includes public facilities such as a community hall, disaster shelter, football ground, disaster memorial, shops, material collection facility, water reservoir, sewage treatment plants, underground electricity distribution network, drainage system, a water tank with a capacity of 9.5 lakh litres, and a solar power plant in each house with a capacity of 2 Kilowatt. The township, which is planned in five zones, is built in 35 clusters of 8-10 houses. Each cluster has a spacious green space courtyard. A separate title deed will be issued for the individual owners.

He said that the construction of houses for the remaining beneficiaries is nearing completion and the keys are expected to be handed over before the next monsoon. Revival plan for entrepreneurs and business establishments that lost their lives in the disaster is also being implemented.

Revenue Minister K. Rajan, who presided over the function, said that the township is an example of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s approach which goes beyond just making declarations and laying foundation stones.