First phase of Wayanad houses to be handed over in Feb: Minister K Rajan

Kozhikode: Revenue minister K Rajan said that construction of the model township for rehabilitating victims of the Chooralmala-Mundakkai landslide disaster is progressing at a rapid pace and that the first phase of houses will be handed over in Feb. The houses will be handed over only after completing all works so that beneficiaries could begin living in them immediately, Rajan told reporters after reviewing the construction progress at the Elston Estate on Monday.He said that Karnataka govt has provided Rs 10 crore for house construction. No funds have been provided by the central govt for housing. Despite having the ability to waive the debts of disaster victims, the Centre has taken a negative stance. By removing Section 13, which empowered the National Disaster Management Authority to write off loans, the Centre has caused additional hardship to the affected families. He said that measures are also being taken to compensate traders for their losses. In the township being constructed for Mundakkai-Chooralmala disaster victims, roofing has been completed for 289 houses. Construction activities are progressing across five zones, with more than 1,700 workers engaged daily in the project. A total of 11.423km of roads will be constructed. The minister said that from Aug 2024 to Dec 2025, the govt has provided livelihood assistance to disaster victims for a period of 17 months. Two members from families that lost their means of livelihood are being given Rs 300 each from the SDRF, and an additional Rs 300 is being provided from the CMDRF to one member of families with bedridden patients undergoing long-term treatment.Financial assistance has been distributed to 1,183 beneficiaries in 12 instalments as per govt orders. For Dec 2025 alone, livelihood assistance amounting to Rs 1,06,47,000 was sanctioned to 1,183 beneficiaries. Between Aug 2024 and Dec 2025, Rs 21,06,000 from the CMDRF and Rs 15,41,48,000 from the SDRF were utilised for livelihood assistance. During the same period, Rs 5,91,06,200 was provided exclusively as rent assistance to disaster victims.Rajan also said that the Vellarimala HSS, which was destroyed in the disaster, will be rebuilt. If govt land is not available, land will be purchased by paying compensation and the school will be established there, he said.