The government has declared the second Kuttanad package amidst reports that many from Kuttanad are migrating to safer land after being fed up with frequent floods The government is planning to implement the package after including it in its 100-day programme.
The chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan also inaugurated the package on Thursday.
Till March 2019, the government spent Rs 1,017 crore for various projects in the region. Now, the State government has set aside Rs 2,447 crore for the implementation of various projects under the second Kuttanad package. It will ensure comprehensive development and revive the flood-hit Kuttanad.
The second Kuttanad package is being implemented jointly by the State Planning Board, Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board, respective government departments and Rebuild Kerala Initiative. The eco-restoration of the Vembanad wetland ecosystem, farming, development and flood mitigation have been given thrust. Some of the projects in the package have already entered the implementation phase.
There are still doubts over how far the package is going to benefit people of Kuttanad. Anyway, the government’s consideration bring smile back on the natives face.
The changing governments have always tried to give an uplift to people of Kuttanad, retaining its culture and legacy. The save package began to be implemented from 2008.
This was kicked off by Dr M S Swaminathan, one of the top Agricultural scientists of India. If the then and subsequent governments had implemented properly, it would have benefitted the public, But the careless and indifferent attitudes of the governments hampered the implementation of the project.

Despite being surrounded by water, potable water is a perpetual problem for this area. The wait for it continues though many drinking water projects have come in the state.

It is said in the new package that for 13 pachayats in Kuttanad water purification plant at a cost of Rs 291 cr will be installed. This is a project that needs urgent implementation.
The land for the plant is yet to be found and this should be expedited.
It is necessary to take up the work of removing slush and waste that are clogging all water sources in Kuttanad including Vembanadu Kayal that is facing environmental problems.
The Kuttanad region is one with many geographical peculiarities. It is among the very rare places in the world where farming is done 1.2 to 3 metres below sea level. The stunningly green paddy fields of Kuttanad are often separated from the rivers and lakes by natural and man-made embankments. Therefore any development-oriented projects in Kuttanad should be done with utmost care.
The embankment built using granite stones after including it in the first Kuttanad package was not a good decision. The government was very well convinced about this. Therefore any protective measures should be taken giving importance to nature-given specialities.
There is no point in declaring Kuttanad as special agricultural sector. Reformations should also be brought in accordingly.
Following the flood in 2018, Rs 750 cr worth of projects were announced for the development of Kuttanad. Rs 1000 cr was declared for the region in the budget ahead of that.
Rs 2139 announced by the Centre for the first package in 2008, the State government was not able to utilise even half of that amount.
After agriculture, Kuttanad is a region with indefinite possibilities for tourism.
If tourist centres are developed through creative projects, the income will be double the current income. There will also be more employment opportunities.
Priority should be given to basic infrastructureroads, bridges, boat jetties and resting places should be built. The government will be able to get back the money it spends in a short span of time. All departments should take care to ensure that the second package doesn’t have the fate of the first package.