Kerala Govt Approves Power and Water Line Restoration at Wayanad’s Elstone Estate

Swift Summary

• Rehabilitation Program: 402 beneficiaries of the deadly July 2024 landslides in Chooralmala-Mundakkai villages, Wayanad district, are being offered houses or financial compensation.
• Current Advancement: Proposals for upgrading water and power supply lines in Elstone Estate, where survivors will be resettled, have received approval from the Kerala government.
• Budget Allocation:

– ₹78.63 lakh for replacing power supply lines (funded through CMDRF).
– ₹36 lakh for realigning water pipelines.

• Both allocations were recommended by the wayanad District Collector and approved by respective departments.
• Deployment:

– Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) will provide technical approvals for electricity-related work.
– Water Resources Department oversees pipeline realignment execution.

• Progress Tracking:

– Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan laid the foundation stone in March 2025 to formally initiate rehabilitation at Elstone Estate.

• Beneficiary Preferences: First list includes 242 beneficiaries; of these, 175 opted for housing.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Kerala government’s approval of infrastructure proposals marks a significant step forward in rehabilitating survivors of last year’s devastating landslides.By allocating resources specifically for electrical and water system upgrades-two essential utilities-the administration aims to ensure basic facilities are ready before resettlement on Elstone Estate. The funding sourced from CMDRF shows a targeted use of disaster relief mechanisms.

Though progress has been steady since March with foundational work commenced earlier this year, sustained monitoring will be critical given that only about half of all affected individuals (242 out of a total listed beneficiaries) have immediate plans formalized as either housing or compensation options. Ensuring timely implementation without delays could set an effective precedent to address future rehabilitation needs across disaster-prone areas like Wayanad.

Read More: Published August 21, The Hindu