Wayanad township: draw of lots for 149 houses on October 31

Construction of houses under way in the second phase of the Wayanad township project at Elston Estate in Kalpetta. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement A draw of lots to select beneficiaries for the second phase of houses being constructed as part of the Wayanad township project at Elston Estate in Kalpetta to rehabilitate survivors of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides will be held at the MSA Auditorium, Meppadi, on October 31. Construction of the 149 houses in the second phase is nearing completion.The decision was taken at a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). Wayanad district panchayat president Chandrika Krishnan, who is also co-chairperson of the DDMA, directed officials to expedite the township works to ensure that the houses could be handed over to beneficiaries in November. She also called for urgent measures to prevent waterlogging in the township.Wayanad District Collector V. Chelsasini said steps were being taken to ensure that ownership certificates, ration cards with updated addresses, and electricity and drinking water connections were provided to beneficiaries when the houses were handed over.Of the 149 houses to be allotted in the second phase, 23 are in Zone 1, six in Zone 3, 14 in Zone 4 and 106 in Zone 5. With the completion of the second phase of allotment, the total number of houses in the township will rise to 327.Officials said a comprehensive study would be conducted by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) to address waterlogging in the township and the Kalpetta municipality area. A committee comprising the municipal secretary and DDMA experts would also be formed to resolve road and drainage issues.At the meeting, Ms. Krishnan directed officials to take steps to enable the 26 families relocated as a precautionary measure following the debris slip at Kalladi earlier this year to return to their homes as soon as possible.An expert committee has submitted a report on the removal of 2.10 lakh cubic metres of soil deposited by the debris slip. Officials were directed to submit an action plan by October 31, identifying suitable land for disposing of the soil.The District Collector said the district administration would identify a suitable site and arrange for the removal of the soil through the Public Works department if the action plan was not submitted by the end of the month. Published - October 26, 2026 07:07 pm IST