Wayanad Township: Second phase of house construction to be completed by October 31

Agriculture Minister T. Siddique on Monday chaired a meeting to review the rehabilitation of landslide disaster survivors at Mundakkai-Chooralmala in Wayanad District Collectorate in Kalpetta | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Construction of the second phase of houses in the Wayanad municipality at Elstone Estate, Kalpetta, for the survivors of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides will be completed by October 31, Kerala Agriculture Minister T. Siddique said. Speaking to reporters while presiding over a review meeting on rehabilitation of disaster survivors at the Kalpetta district collectorate on Monday, Mr. Siddique, who is in charge of Wayanad, said that the draw for allotment of houses to the beneficiaries would be held by November 1, 2026.

Rehabilitation work and the construction of the township are progressing rapidly, the minister said. In the first phase, the construction of 178 houses was completed, into which 177 families moved. The remaining 149 houses are in the final stages of construction and will be completed by October 31. The construction of facilities including anganwadi, market, public toilets, playground and health center will be completed by November, he said.

The Minister directed the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and the District Collector to conduct the lottery and take steps to transfer the houses, plots, water and electricity connections in the names of the beneficiaries. The construction of internal roads in the village will be completed by December. The government is also actively discussing proposals to establish a parade ground and a school in the village. Tendering for the ₹15 crore skill park to provide job opportunities to the survivors will begin this month, Mr. Siddique said.

Guidelines approved

A Cabinet sub-committee approved guidelines for disbursement of financial assistance to loan defaulters, damaged buildings and affected traders. Officials of the State Disaster Management Authority will visit Kalpetta on October 8 and 9 to hold talks with local representatives and survivors and finalize the list of beneficiaries. Subsequently, the coordination committee will meet and the aid will be paid soon, the minister said.

Mr. Siddique said steps would be expedited to rebuild Mundakkai and Vellarimala schools. District Collector V. Chelasini informed the minister that ₹ 2 crore has been provided to disaster-affected families who have lost their livelihood under the micro-plan scheme. Financial assistance has already been provided to 370 families. The Irrigation Department informed the meeting that the ₹50.05 crore debris clearance work, part of the ₹194 crore river protection and debris removal package, has been resumed. The project will also install a warning system to warn people about landslides and floods.

Regarding the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi twin tunnel project, the minister ordered representatives of the construction company and officials to ensure the safe removal and disposal of excavated soil and debris. He stressed that the safety of local residents should be the priority and asked the authorities to take an immediate decision on the matter. He also directed the officials to ensure that there are no complaints regarding the supply of free ration to the disaster-affected families in Kalladi.

Published – 05 Oct 2026 16:59 IST