157 more houses for Wayanad landslide survivors to be completed by September 30, says Minister

Construction of 157 houses in the rehabilitation township at Elstone Estate, Kalpetta, for survivors of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide disaster will be completed by September 30, 2026, Agriculture Minister T. Siddique has said.

Speaking to media persons at Kalpetta on Monday (July 6), Mr. Siddique said the remaining 62 houses would be completed by December this year. The government has already handed over 178 completed houses in the township to beneficiaries in the first phase.

The Minister said construction of the township’s health centre, public market and toilets had begun, while work on a playground, an anganwadi and a material collection facility would commence soon.

“The government has disbursed bank loan assistance worth ₹5.58 crore to families included in the Phase I, Phase II-A and Phase II-B beneficiary lists of the rehabilitation project. The amount was released after collecting details of outstanding bank loans through a special adalat conducted for beneficiaries. Further action on taking over of commercial loans would be taken in line with the government’s decision,” he said.

The daily allowance and house rent assistance being provided to disaster survivors will be extended for another three months. However, families that have shifted to the rehabilitation township will no longer receive house rent assistance, Mr. Siddique said.

He said the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority would carry out a scientific study and prepare a comprehensive project to address the waterlogging issue in Kalpetta town following the construction of the township.

A special meeting chaired by the Minister will be held at the Collectorate on the first Monday of every month to review disaster management. The government also aims to restore agricultural land in the Mundakkai-Chooralmala disaster-hit region. Soil testing will be conducted in the affected areas and necessary measures taken based on the findings, he said.

The demands of residents of Padavetti Kunnu and Attamala, who are not included in the beneficiary list, would be considered sympathetically, the Minister said. He added that the Harsham rehabilitation scheme prepared for survivors of the Puthumala landslide disaster could be placed before the State Cabinet if required.