KOZHIKODE: None of the recipients have moved into the initial set of 178 houses designated for survivors of the 2024 Wayanad landslides. This lack of occupancy stems from ongoing work, inciting a political uproar. The opposition has criticized the government for launching the project before its completion, labeling it a pre-election tactic.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan handed over the keys to the homes under the model township initiative at Elstone Estate in Kalpetta on March 1.
During the inauguration, the Chief Minister stated that the project was designed to ensure all affected individuals would be rehabilitated before the monsoon season. Revenue Minister K Rajan further guaranteed that construction would continue unabated and that all homes would be delivered by April 30.
Plumbing, sewage, and drainage works still pending
The Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society is overseeing the project. Although work was progressing rapidly prior to the inauguration, it has since slowed due to a shortage of labor.
Several migrant workers have reportedly returned to their home states, primarily West Bengal and Assam, for assembly elections, as per sources.
The administration noted that beneficiaries were informed of outstanding works at the time of the inauguration, and efforts are ongoing to complete these tasks. Work on plumbing and centralized systems, such as sewage and drainage, remains outstanding, leaving the area still under construction.
Opposition leader V D Satheesan contended that the homes were inaugurated prematurely, questioning, “How many days has it been since the inauguration?” He criticized the government for taking a year to acquire land for rehabilitation.
“They tried to hold an inauguration before the election announcement,” he added, stressing that the works were incomplete and the houses unfit for occupancy.
The government has yet to respond to these allegations, but the CPM has targeted Congress over its commitment to build houses for landslide survivors. CPM state secretary M V Govindan criticized Congress for failing to deliver on its promise to construct 130 houses.
“There is no clarity on the funds collected or the accounts they have been deposited in. It is claimed they are in a joint account involving the KPCC president and the opposition leader, both of whom are running in the election. This account has not been disclosed in their election affidavits,” he stated.
