Govt to develop Wayanad township on EPC model

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the township for the disaster victims in Wayanad will be built on the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model and the tender will be held by November 15.

The government will only suggest the requirements and facilities needed for the location, while the firm will have full authority over designing the houses. This was clarified in the reply to the adjournment motion brought by the opposition in the assembly. The construction will be carried out by the safety standards in the environmentally sensitive areas. The tender process will be completed by December 31.

The township has taken steps to acquire Nedumbala Estate in Meppadi Panchayat and Elstone Estate in Kalpetta Municipality under the Disaster Prevention Act. Around 1000 houses will be constructed at both places. The contract for the total station survey and lidar survey of both locations will be tendered within a week and KIIFB will be appointed as the project management consultant.

The views of the Public Works Department, Water Authority, KSEB, Local Self-Government Department, Town Planning Department and Disaster Management Department will also be considered. It will be overseen by a high authority committee headed by the Chief Secretary.

• Families who have lost their homes and land will be rehabilitated in the first phase while other families currently living in environmentally vulnerable spots will be rehabilitated in the second phase.

• The district collector will publish the draft list of beneficiaries. Single-storey houses of 1000 square feet will be constructed with the convenience of constructing a second floor in future. Those doing business in rented buildings will also be included in the rehabilitation.

• Sponsors interested in donating cash for the completion of houses in both townships will be provided with special mechanisms to provide their assistance.

• The central government gave permission to utilize up to 25 lakh rupees from the regional development fund of MPs. The government will also consider utilizing the money from the local funds of the MLAs.

• A microfamily plan will be prepared for each family to improve their livelihood.