Wayanad landslide: Lay the foundation’s deck for survivors on March 27

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will lay the foundation for the town on Thursday evening (27 March 2025). Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of Wayanad MP is expected to attend the event to be held at Elstone Estate. |Photo source: Thulasi Kakkat

With the Kerala High Court refusing to restrict the Kerala government from taking over Elstone Tea Estates Land in Wayanad Kalpetta, the deck has been cleared for a township to restore survivors of Chooralmala-Mundakkai Landslides.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will lay the foundation for the township on Thursday (March 27, 2025), according to official sources. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of Wayanad MP is expected to attend the event to be held at Elstone Estate.

The town has about 65 hectares of land. The government has proposed compensation of more than Rs 26 crore. However, when the real estate owner approached the court, there was some uncertainty earlier in the project considering the low compensation for the project, given the current market price of the land there.

The earlier proposal was to occupy 65 hectares of land on 73 hectares of land in Elstone Tea Estates in Kalpetta and Needumpala Estate in Meppadi to build the town to restore landslide survivors. However, the government later decided to take over the Elston Teahouse land only in the first phase of the project. Both owners filed a petition with the Kerala High Court to object to the acquisition.

Although Tax Minister K. Rajan recently announced at the General Assembly that the cornerstone construction ceremony would be held on March 27, the government reportedly feared whether the court order would violate its plans. There are also reports that if the order is unfavorable, a symbolic event can be held in Calpeta.

Consent letter of beneficiary

Meanwhile, 235 of the 242 beneficiaries selected during the first phase of rehabilitation have handed their consent to the authorities until March 24. As many as 170 people are seeking homes in the town, while others have expressed hope for Rs 1.5 lakh financial aid. The veneer house will be spread over 1,00 square feet. The town will also have a wellness center, an Anganwadi, a community center and a common market. The title deed of the house cannot be transferred for 12 years.

Opposition from real estate workers

Meanwhile, about 300 workers at Elstone Tea Estates opposed the plan to expel them without proper compensation benefits. The Wayanad Real Estate Union, affiliated with the Centre of Trade Unions of India (CITU), is leading the protest.

It was pointed out that since 2014, the provident fund (PF) share, as well as the employer’s share, have not been transferred to their accounts. About 150 retired employees were not paid either.