Construction of Wayanad Rehabilitation Township for Disaster-Affected Communities Begins

Wayanad: The Kerala government has initiated the construction of a model township for the disaster-affected people of Mundakkai and Chooralmala in Wayanad. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the project has officially begun, reaffirming the government's commitment to overcoming challenges and ensuring the successful rehabilitation of the affected communities.
In line with the Kerala High Court's recent order, the government has acquired the land for the township at Elstone Estate by depositing an additional compensation amount of ₹17.77 crore, in accordance with revised judicial compensation rates. This amount was deposited alongside 26 crore rupees previously paid into the High Court's Registrar General's account under an earlier order, ensuring the completion of the land acquisition process.
The High Court’s order was received on Friday evening, and following this, a team led by the Wayanad District Collector swiftly completed the necessary formalities overnight. Construction work on the acquired land began the very next day. The Chief Minister assured that the rehabilitation of the affected families would proceed smoothly and collectively.
The construction contract has been awarded to the Uralungal Labour Contract Society (ULCCS), and despite a three-month delay caused by legal challenges from estate management regarding the land acquisition, the government has successfully handled the case and secured final approval for the project.
Each beneficiary family will receive a 1000 square-foot house on seven cents of land. The township will be equipped with key facilities including healthcare centers, anganwadis, a public market, a community center, a multipurpose hall, and a library. For families who will not relocate to the township, a compensation of ₹15 lakh per family has been allocated. In total, 402 families are set to benefit from the project. In the initial phase, the focus has been on constructing a road to facilitate the movement of construction materials and equipment to the site. This crucial infrastructure development will ensure smooth progress for the township's construction and enable efficient transport of resources.