Wayanad Model Township First Phase Ready, CM to Hand Over Homes on Feb 25

Kalpetta: The first phase of the Kerala government’s Wayanad Model Township, built to rehabilitate survivors of the Mundakkai–Chooralmala disaster, has been completed, and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the project and hand over land ownership documents to beneficiaries on February 25.

Announcing the inauguration through a social media post, the Chief Minister said the project marks a major step in Kerala’s recovery efforts and reflects the government’s commitment to rebuilding the lives of people who lost everything in the disaster. He described the township as a symbol of collective resilience and said the state had fulfilled its promise to ensure safe and dignified rehabilitation for survivors.

The township has been developed through the coordinated work of multiple government departments and agencies, with designs suited to Wayanad’s terrain and climate. Out of a planned 410 houses, 178 have been completed in the first phase. These houses will be allotted to families that completely lost their homes in the disaster. Each single-storey house has a built-up area of around 1,000 square feet and includes a master bedroom, two additional rooms, sit-out, living area, study space, dining area, kitchen and storage room. The structures are built with foundations that allow future expansion into two floors.

Once fully completed, the township will provide housing for more than 1,662 people. The project also includes public roads, a health centre, anganwadi, public market and community centres. The health centre will have laboratory and pharmacy facilities along with testing, vaccination and observation rooms. The public market will include shops, stalls, open market space, a children’s play area and parking facilities. A multipurpose hall, playground, library, sports club and open-air theatre are planned as part of the community centre.

For the rehabilitation project, the government acquired 64.4705 hectares of land at Elstone Estate in Kalpetta village to create a permanent settlement for disaster survivors. Construction began soon after the land acquisition. The foundation stone for the township was laid by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on March 27, 2025, and the remaining construction work is progressed rapidly.

The inauguration ceremony will be held at 4 pm on February 25 at Elstone Estate, with Revenue Minister K Rajan presiding. Ministers O R Kelu, Roshi Augustine, A K Saseendran, Kadannappalli Ramachandran, K B Ganesh Kumar and P A Mohammed Riyas will attend. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, Opposition Deputy Leader P K Kunhalikutty, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, Kalpetta MLA T Siddique and other public representatives and officials will also participate.

Chief Secretary Dr A Jayathilak will deliver the welcome address, while Revenue and Disaster Management Secretary M G Rajamanikyam will present the project report. Wayanad Township Project Special Officer S Suhas will deliver the vote of thanks.