Kerala polls: Transport services, special booth set up for Wayanad landslide survivors

KOZHIKODE: Special transport arrangements have been made to enable landslide survivors, who are living in temporary accommodations scattered across Wayanad, to reach polling booths at Chooralmala and Meppadi.

Besides, a special polling booth has been set up at Govt Higher Secondary School, Meppadi, for voters of booth number 203, which was earlier located at Crescent English Medium School in Vellarimala village. The booth has been shifted to ensure greater convenience for voters, said Vythiri assistant returning officer. The polling station will function on the eastern side of the new school building.

District collector, who is also district election officer, D R Meghasree said eight KSRTC buses would be deployed between 11am and 2.30pm to ferry voters to the polling stations and back. Around 700 people from the affected areas are expected to avail of the service.

At 11am, buses will operate to Chooralmala polling centre from Kalpetta Civil Station, Old Bus Stand, New Bus Stand, Vaduvanchal, Vythiri, Meenangadi, Meppadi and Karapuzha. Return services at 2pm will depart from Kaniyambetta, Kalpetta Old Bus Stand, Kappamkolli, Thinapuram, Meppadi town and Nedumbala temple.

The rehabilitation of Wayanad landslide survivors has emerged as a major election issue, not just in the district but across the state. LDF highlighted the proposed township at Elstone Estate and criticised UDF for delays in its housing project. However, UDF questioned govt's rehabilitation efforts, alleging that several affected families were left out.