Kalpetta: The state government has authorised the Principal Secretary (Revenue) to examine complaints raised by individuals and groups regarding the allotment of houses under the Wayanad Township rehabilitation project for landslide survivors, Revenue Minister K Rajan said here on Monday.

Speaking to the media after reviewing the progress of work at the Elstone estate site, the minister said 402 families have been included in the first phase of the project and 49 families in the second phase. The State Disaster Management Authority and the Principal Secretary will also consider the concerns of those who were not directly affected by the disaster, he added.

“The government will ensure complete transparency and fairness in the selection of beneficiaries. No individual or locality will face discrimination,” Rajan said.

Highlighting the progress of construction, he said the Wayanad township, once completed, would serve as a model rehabilitation initiative for the world. “Despite the persisting rain, construction is advancing rapidly across all five zones with the help of advanced technology,” he noted.

Currently, 533 workers from the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) are engaged in the project. The number of houses under construction stands at 21 in Zone 1, 12 in Zone 2, 28 in Zone 3, 37 in Zone 4, and 99 in Zone 5.

To accelerate the pace of work, a new concrete mixing plant has been installed at the site and will become operational within a week. Earlier, concrete had to be brought from Panamaram. 

A 5.5-metre-wide road will also be constructed through the site to improve access, and the KSEB high-tension power line passing through the area will be relocated on a priority basis, the minister added.