THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced in the assembly that under the Wayanad township project, 1,000-square-feet single-story houses are planned, with provisions for adding a second floor in the future. Tenders are expected to be issued within a week, following govt approval, and the tender process will be completed by Dec 31.
The plan is to build around 1,000 houses across two townships. Short-term quotations for conducting a detailed total station survey of the proposed land will be invited soon. The projects will be executed using the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) model.
The govt aims for a comprehensive resettlement plan, taking into account suggestions from the public. The Nedumbala Estate in Meppadi panchayat and the Elstone Estate in Kalpetta municipality have been identified as suitable sites for constructing model townships to resettle disaster victims. The acquisition of these sites will be expedited under the disaster management Act.
Special facilities will be set up to receive materials from sponsors offering aid for the project. Additionally, arrangements will be made for sponsors willing to contribute financially to the construction of houses or other facilities in the townships. Detailed discussions will be held to finalize these details.
In the first phase, families who lost their homes and land in the disaster will be resettled, followed by families living in unsafe areas in the second phase. A draft list of beneficiaries for both phases will be published by the district collector, with the revenue department responsible for issuing detailed instructions to finalize the list.
The resettlement package will prioritize livelihood opportunities, aiming to provide employment for as many people as possible. Women will receive training to engage in their chosen occupations, and support will be extended to those operating businesses in rented buildings. Farming facilities will also be considered as part of the resettlement plan to ensure sustainable livelihoods for the community.
