Thiruvananthapuram: Days earlier than the LDF authorities is scheduled at hand over the primary part of housing to survivors of the 2024 Wayanad landslide, Congress on Thursday laid the inspiration stone for the rehabilitation undertaking aimed toward developing housing for 100 households.
The primary part of the Mannequin Village Challenge of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee will assemble 60 homes of 1,041 sq ft every on 8 cent plots on a complete of three acres of land.
of lay the cornerstone The ceremony was held at Kalpetta in Wayanad and was inaugurated by Opposition chief Rahul Gandhi within the presence of Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, AICC normal secretary KC Venugopal and different leaders of the Congress and its allies.
The celebration additionally distributed checks of 500,000 rupees to 40 native shopkeepers who misplaced their companies within the landslides.
In response to official figures, 266 individuals have been killed and 32 others went lacking after a number of landslides occurred in Mundakkai, Choralmala and Athamara villages in Wayanad state on July 30. 2024.
Rahul Gandhi, then a member of parliament from Wayanad, had introduced a housing undertaking when he visited his constituency quickly after the incident.
Additionally learn: A map explains: How topography and human density led to the devastation of Wayanad, Kerala
political controversy
The ceremony got here after months of political wrangling, with the CPI(M) blaming the Congress for delays in undertaking implementation, whereas the principle opposition events blamed the state authorities for procedural delays.
Right now’s occasion is critical because the LDF authorities plans at hand over 178 homes on March 1 as a part of the primary part of the rehabilitation undertaking. The mannequin township undertaking features a complete of 410 homes constructed on 7 cent plots every, developed on land that was an earlier a part of Elston Property in Kalpetta.
“You aren’t alone on this journey of therapeutic and restoration. You might be household and we might be with you everytime you want us.”
LoP Shri @RahulGandhitogether with Congress Normal Secretary and Wayanad Member of Parliament Smt. @PriyankaGandhi Ji, I laid the inspiration stone of the home… pic.twitter.com/YqZCOZSDmB
— Congress (@INCIndia) February 26, 2026
The beneficiaries of the Congress celebration’s plan, however, are those that aren’t included within the state authorities’s reconstruction undertaking.
In response to the state authorities, beneficiaries of the scheme embody authorized residents whose properties have been destroyed or declared uninhabitable, or properties situated in demarcated high-risk zones (inside 50 meters of rivers in affected areas).
Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, talking at a foundation-laying occasion, stated that legislators from Kerala, throughout celebration traces, had requested assist from the Middle many instances. She stated Rahul introduced a housing undertaking quickly after the incident.
“As your sister, I’m upset that this course of has taken so lengthy. It took so lengthy due to the required permits, land points and meals. However I’m pleased that we are able to lastly begin this course of at present,” Priyanka stated.
Rahul Gandhi, whereas inaugurating the undertaking, praised the spirit, braveness and compassion of the individuals of Wayanad throughout the disaster.
“We’re with you on this restoration course of. For us, it isn’t a one-day occasion. You might be our household. We are going to stand with you not a few times, however each time. My sister informed me within the automotive that she was not pleased that it took this lengthy,” Rahul stated.
He stated he hopes the undertaking might be accomplished quickly. He additionally expressed his gratitude to the members of UDF for his or her cooperation in realizing the undertaking.
Wayanad and Parliament
The Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency in northern Kerala has been represented by the Gandhi household since 2019, when Rahul received with a historic margin of over 400,000 votes.
He retained his seat in 2024 with a margin of greater than 300,000 votes. However he additionally bought Rae Bareli’s seat. He might solely retain one and selected Rae Bareli, necessitating a by-election in Wayanad.
Within the by-election, Priyanka received with a margin of 4,10,931 votes. All through their visits, the household has constantly pledged their assist and like to others.
Mr. Venugopal stated that so did Mr. Rahul and Mr. Priyanka. strongly raised the difficulty The parliament known as for central authorities intervention. The celebration stated it was additionally supporting the state authorities in reconstruction initiatives, together with Rs 20,000 crore handed over to the state by the Congress-led Karnataka authorities.
“We’ve accomplished the design and appointed the development firm. We are going to proceed the development. This isn’t for political acquire however a logo of the ethical assist given to Wayanad by the Congress and UDF,” Venugopal stated.
Congress officers stated the celebration was utilizing its personal funds for the undertaking, however declined to say how a lot it price.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
Additionally learn: Forgotten sufferer of Wayanad landslide: PM Pinarayi and PM Modi meet amid Middle vs. Kerala Fund feud
