THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Although the rehabilitation of disaster victims in Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad will be a huge financial liability, the government is still trying to find the money. The preliminary estimate is that more than 200 hectares of land and Rs 4000 crore will be required for the new township.

Not even Rs 100 crore has been received in the Chief Minister's relief fund. 450 crores may be received with the salary challenge and the amount from pensioners. Another possibility is central assistance. The effort is to get at least 2000 crores after the Prime Minister's visit tomorrow and the evaluation of the central team. The concern is that the rehabilitation will be delayed if the money is not received.

The new township is envisioned on the rehabilitation model adopted five years ago in Puthumala in Wayanad itself. The government is not interested in rebuilding a habitat at the disaster site. The Chief Minister has clarified that the government will create a new residential area without damaging the nature and will seek the services of international environment-friendly architects.

Puthumala model to be implemented in Chooralmala

17 people had died in the Puthumala disaster. 22 houses were completely washed away. 58 houses were damaged. 43 houses came under disaster threat. 11.5 hectares of land was acquired here and a township called "Harsham" was built. 57 families were given 657 square meter houses and seven cents of land. 10 lakhs each to put up a house. Of this, four lakhs were given by voluntary organizations and others. 43 people were given ten lakh each to build houses on their own land. Livelihood assistance was also provided. The scheme was implemented by the revenue department and the local body. The same pattern will be followed in Chooralmala. The Chooralmala disaster was twenty times more catastrophic than Puthumala. The death toll, including the missing, is close to five hundred. 475 houses were completely destroyed. There are 1721 other families. At least twenty times of the 11 hectares of land needed in Puthumala should be found here. If 300 crores were spent in Puthumala, Chooralmala needs more than 4000 crores. There are offers to build 800 houses. How many of them will become a reality will be clear only after the discussions.

"Money will not be a hindrance for the rehabilitation of Wayanad. Whatever amount is needed, the government will find it."

-Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan