KOCHI: Even though the government has not distributed Rs 4 lakh offered for reconstruction of houses completely damaged in floods, repairing of houses in many villages is on full swing. Several NGOs and social groups are supporting repairing and reconstruction of houses in worst affected areas like Kunnukara, Chendamangalam, Paravur, Palathuruth and Puthanvelikara in Ernakulam district.
In Kunnukara, where 90 per cent of the areas were marooned with hundreds of houses completely ruined, works have already started to repair 350 houses. Rotary Club, Ernakulam has promised to construct five houses spending Rs 5 lakh each for the selected beneficiaries.
A New Delhi-based charitable foundation has already started repairing of damaged houses. They will do the maintenance works of 200 selected houses spending Rs 30,000 to Rs 1 lakh. The total project is Rs 1.50 crore. The K Chittilappally Foundation also is repairing 50 houses.
In Puthanvelikara, another worst-hit panchayat, construction of three new houses has started with the support of social groups while another Delhi-based NGO has promised to reconstruct 50 houses.
“A total of 15 houses are being repaired by various social organisations and fund raising initiatives are on to help more affected people,” said M.P. Shajan, former panchayat member and social activist.
In Palathuruth, a completely devastated and most backward village in Chendamangalam panchayat, several NGOs have come forward to rebuild the ruined houses.
Reconstruction of houses in Palathuruth has already started with the support of various groups though more funds are required to rebuild the entire village. “An artists’ group named Collective Phase One is supporting the Chendamangalam panchayat in implementing a long term rehabilitation programme called ‘Sramam’,” said T.G Anoop, panchayat president.
Meanwhile, Hibi Eden, MLA, has initiated Thanal, housing scheme for the flood-hit families in Cheranalloor panchayat with the support of NGOs under which construction of six houses has already started.
