Wayanad, 20 Feb (H.S.):In a major step towards rehabilitating families affected by the devastating Mundakkai–Chooralmala landslides, the Kerala government will conduct a transparent lottery to allot newly constructed houses at a model township in Kalpetta. The initiative allows beneficiaries themselves to select their homes through a draw of lots, ensuring fairness and public confidence in the process.
Priority has been given to families who completely lost both their homes and land in the disaster. In the first phase of the rehabilitation project, 178 fully constructed houses will be handed over to eligible beneficiaries.
Each house has been built on seven cents of land and offers a spacious 1,000 square feet of living area, featuring three bedrooms. The homes have been designed with future expansion in mind, with foundations strong enough to support the construction of an additional floor if families choose to expand later.
The township, developed at Elstone Estate along the Kalpetta bypass, has been completed at a rapid pace. Beyond housing, the project includes modern infrastructure such as well-laid internal roads, a reliable drinking water supply system, an anganwadi, and a community centre. Officials said the township has been planned to provide not just shelter, but a secure and dignified living environment for families rebuilding their lives after tragedy.
The formal inauguration of the model township will be held on February 25, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan scheduled to preside over the ceremony. The government aims to provide houses to a total of 327 beneficiaries before the onset of the upcoming monsoon season, ensuring that displaced families are settled in safe, permanent homes.
Describing the project as a symbol of resilience and renewal, the Chief Minister said February 25 would mark a new light of hope shining on the soil of Wayanad. The rehabilitation effort stands as one of the state’s most significant post-disaster housing initiatives, reflecting a commitment to rebuilding lives with dignity and long-term security.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
