Riverbank collapse puts anganwadi in Wayanad at risk, officials yet to act

Panamaram: The demand to relocate the anganwadi operating from a building along the Valiya Puzhayoram, which is now at imminent risk of collapsing into the river, has intensified.

Anganwadi Building No. 15 at Karimamkunnu Kinjukadav is in a highly vulnerable state after the riverbank eroded. While residents were shifted out following severe soil caving during the floods six years ago, the anganwadi was never relocated. Complaints submitted to the panchayat, Nava Kerala Sadas and the revenue minister regarding the relocation of this precarious building on river puramboke land have gone unheeded.

The front of the anganwadi appears intact, but the rear has caved in, damaging floor tiles and tilting the pillar that supports the overhead water tank. The toilet in the building is also in disrepair. A site inspection by the village officer, following a complaint from a panchayat member, confirmed that the building is in a highly vulnerable state, lying just 1.50 metres from the river.

The anganwadi, which served around 20 children, was previously suspended on the direction of the ICDS. Yet, even years later, no steps have been taken to relocate it. The issue could be resolved by handing over less than 10 cents of revenue land near the Keenjikadavu mosque at Cherukattoor, which lies adjacent to the existing anganwadi, to the panchayat for construct a new building.

Meanwhile the house of Sasi Kumar of Syam Sadanam, located near the anganwadi, also suffered damages with its rear side caving into the river yesterday. This too has added to the concern over he building's safety