410 houses to rise for Wayanad landslide victims in township project

WAYANAD: The government is constructing a total of 410 houses as part of the township project for Wayanad landslide victims. Construction of the first cluster, comprising 120 houses, has begun at the Elston Estate in Kalpetta. Adverse weather conditions have slowed progress, but once the rains subside, the houses are expected to be completed within five months. The houses are being built to withstand natural disasters.

Each house is designed on seven cents of land, with a built-up area of 1,000 square feet. A model house was completed in five months. The foundation work for 29 houses is finished, and construction of 35 more houses in the first cluster will begin soon. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan laid the foundation stone for the township on March 27.

Construction of other clusters will also begin shortly. Once the rains recede, a 12-kilometre road with a width of 10 meters will be laid to connect the area. The Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society is executing the township construction, employing around 300 workers. The houses are being built on land where a cent costs over Rs 10 lakh in the market.

Emphasis on privacy

Although houses will be close to each other, privacy is a key consideration in the design. Adequate spacing will be maintained between homes, each house will have road access at the front, provisions for parking, and compound walls. The design also allows for the addition of a second floor if required. Waste management systems will also be included.

Livelihood support of Rs 9,000

Families who lost their livelihood in the disaster have been provided with Rs 9,000 each as livelihood support, in addition to rental assistance. A total of Rs 10.09 crore has been distributed in six phases to 402 beneficiaries under this scheme. Victims said that without this financial aid, it would have been impossible to rebuild their lives.