1st phase of Wayanad rehabilitation project completed; 178 homes handed over
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Wayanad: Survivors of the Mundakkai–Chooralmala landslides were handed new homes on Sunday as the Kerala government inaugurated the first phase of the Wayanad Model Township at Elton Estate, bringing relief to families displaced since the July 30, 2024 disaster.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan formally opened the township and handed over 178 houses to families whose homes were completely destroyed in the landslides. He also distributed individual land titles to the beneficiaries, describing the project as a “testament to Kerala’s resolve to build back better”.
Five acres of land were acquired near Meppadi village to rehabilitate 13 Scheduled Tribe families who had been left isolated following the disaster, and their land pattas were also handed over during the ceremony.
Recalling the tragedy that claimed several lives, the Chief Minister paid homage to those who died, noting that the occasion was marked by both relief and painful memories.
The township, developed on land acquired under the Disaster Management Act, aims to rehabilitate 410 families. Current estimates indicate that 402 families comprising 1,662 people will reside there once the project is completed.
Spread across five zones with 35 clusters, each cluster consists of eight to 20 houses built around a central green courtyard and connected by a 5.5-metre-wide internal road. Every family has been allotted seven cents of land with individual pattas.
The project has been designed not merely as a housing scheme but as a comprehensive rehabilitation initiative intended to offer improved living standards compared to what was lost, in keeping with the ‘Build Back Better’ principle of disaster recovery.
The township includes a community hall, disaster shelter, football ground, disaster memorial, shops, a material collection facility, check dam and water body, underground power distribution network, drainage system, and a 9.5-lakh-litre overhead water tank. Each house is fitted with a 2 kW solar power plant, and ten sewage treatment plants have been installed. The reinforced concrete structures have been built to withstand natural disasters and allow for future vertical expansion.
The Chief Minister said the project was completed despite hurdles, hardships and what he termed negative campaigns. Thousands of workers and officials were deployed under detailed planning and strict supervision to ensure timely execution.
Highlighting the immediate relief measures, he said fully equipped camps providing food, medical care and counselling were set up in the aftermath of the disaster, with a Cabinet sub-committee camping in the district to oversee operations.
The state provided Rs 6,000 per month as house rent assistance to affected families, amounting to over Rs 6 crore so far. Livelihood assistance totalling Rs 17.2 crore was disbursed, along with Rs 13 crore in relief assistance and Rs 1.3 crore as emergency aid. Assistance of Rs 2 crore was extended to 21 children who lost their parents, and 858 families continue to receive monthly food coupons worth Rs 1,000.
According to the Chief Minister, Rs 773.98 crore was contributed to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund for Wayanad disaster victims. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh contributed Rs 10 crore each, while Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan provided Rs 5 crore each.
The state also assumed responsibility for settling debts amounting to Rs 18.75 crore, covering 1,620 loans taken by 555 beneficiaries across various banks.
Criticising the Union government, Vijayan alleged that repeated requests for loan write-offs did not receive a response. He also said attempts were made to derail the rehabilitation process through misinformation and legal challenges, but the government remained steadfast.
“The Kerala model of compassion and solidarity, where people rise above differences to support one another, has once again drawn global attention,” he said, adding that the township stands as proof of the government’s determination to rebuild lives with dignity.
He assured that all landslide survivors would be rehabilitated under the initiative before the next monsoon season, with an action plan already in place.
Revenue Minister P Rajan, Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas, MLAs, public representatives and officials attended the programme.
(With PTI inputs)