Mundakkai–Chooralmala Disaster: First Phase of Houses to Be Handed Over in February, Says Minister K Rajan

Kalpetta: The first phase of houses being built for the victims of the Mundakkai–Chooralmala disaster in Wayanad will be handed over in February, said Minister K Rajan, adding that all procedures are progressing at a very fast pace. He was speaking to the media while visiting Kalpetta to inspect the final-stage works of the government-built township.

The venue for the inauguration ceremony has already been identified. The minister said that the project marks an extraordinary achievement in the history of construction in the state, made possible through precise planning and strong coordination. "Several challenges were overcome by modifying plans according to changing circumstances. At present, 1,700 workers are engaged at the site, and more skilled labourers will be inducted soon," he added.

The township is being constructed at a rapid pace on the land acquired from Elston Estate near the Kalpetta bypass, for the rehabilitation of disaster-affected families. The Chief Minister had recently stated that the government feels a sense of fulfillment in being able to provide the best possible housing by standing with people who have faced the disaster.

The township will comprise 410 houses along with supporting infrastructure. It has been designed with advanced, disaster-resilient features, spread across 35 clusters, and follows an eco-friendly, nature-integrated approach. Each cluster will include common spaces for children to play and for senior citizens to gather.

Key Facilities in the Township includes11.4 km of internal roads, underground power distribution system, drinking water tank with a capacity of 9.5 lakh litres, along with a distribution network, 1,000-litre drinking water tank for each house, football ground, market, anganwadi, community hall, waste management centres, public health centre, memorial, and solar power plant installed in every house.

High-quality construction materials with up to 20 years of warranty are being used. Cement, sand, metal, steel and other materials are utilized only after testing in an on-site laboratory as well as verification by an independent third-party agency to ensure quality. Contractors will also provide five years of defect liability protection for all constructions.

The minister emphasized that the project reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring safe, dignified, and sustainable rehabilitation for disaster-affected families.