Thiruvananthapuram, January 1, 2025 — In response to landslides in July 2024 that swallowed dozens in Wayanad, the Government of Kerala announced the construction of two model townships to house families affected by the calamity.
Discussions are also ongoing with the Central government regarding the classification and packaging of the disaster so that the needed money can be released as financial assistance.
Devastating landslides in the Mundakkai and Chooralmala regions of Wayanad left an estimated 200 dead and caused extensive destruction on July 30, 2024. The calamity saw the displacement of many families, and immediate relief was followed up with rehabilitation.
State Government Rehabilitation Proposal
The Kerala cabinet approved a comprehensive rehabilitation plan to construct two communities for survivors of the landslides. The proposed sites are Elstone Estate and Nedumbala Estate, where single-story houses will be built on five-cent and ten-cent plots, respectively.
The estimated budget for the entire project is around ₹750 crore, to be undertaken by the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society, with supervision by KIIFCON.
Land Acquisition and Court Battles
To create the townships, the state plans to acquire 65.41 hectares from Harrison Malayalam Estate in the Nedumbala area and 78.73 hectares from Elstone Estate. The acquisition of this land was legally challenged.
However, the Kerala High Court upheld the state government’s decision, thus allowing the commencement of the project.
Dispute Between the Centre and State Over Disaster Classification and Aid
The Kerala government is pressing the Centre to declare the Wayanad landslides a national calamity and grant the state adequate financial assistance. Initially, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs stated that Kerala had sufficient funds under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to carry out the operations and denied the calamity national disaster status.
However, following persistent appeals, the Centre classified the Wayanad landslides as a disaster of “severe nature” and approved ₹153.467 crore for immediate relief efforts, including expenses incurred by the Indian Air Force for airdropping supplies.
Political Reactions and Future Implications
The delay in receiving adequate central assistance has sparked criticism from Kerala’s political leaders. Members of Parliament from the state have expressed dissatisfaction with the Centre’s initial response and plan to raise the issue in the upcoming parliamentary sessions.
The construction of the townships is expected to provide a safe and sustainable living environment for the affected families, marking a significant step towards their rehabilitation. The state government’s proactive measures, despite funding challenges, reflect its commitment to restoring normalcy in the disaster-hit regions.
As Kerala moves forward with the township projects in Wayanad, the collaboration between state and central governments remains crucial. The resolution of funding disputes and timely execution of rehabilitation plans will be essential in ensuring the well-being of the landslide survivors and rebuilding the affected communities.
