Kerala: Apna Ghar' awaits migrant workers
In the first lot 620 workers will be accommodated.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a first of its kind initiative in the country, the migrant workers in Kerala will get an opportunity to move out of labour camps to their own residential accommodation "apna ghar."
With piped gas connections, kitchen, recreational facilities like volleyball and badminton courts, the first batch of migrant workers are set to experience home away from home under the 'Apna Ghar' project being launched by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Kanjikode in Palakkad on Saturday.
In the first lot 620 workers will be accommodated. "They will get free electricity, water supply and LPG gas. This is the first time a state government is providing housing accommodation for migrant workers," says Bhavanam Chief Operating Officer G.L. Muraleedharan.
Already representatives of Delhi and Karnataka governments have visited the site as part of the plan to replicate the model in their respective states.
The residential hostel will cater to the inter-state migrant workers in and around Palakkad.
The accommodation will be on affordable rental basis of Rs. 800 per month. The scheme has been implemented on the land leased from KINFRA for 30 years.
The hostel is spread across 44,000 sq. ft. in 3 blocks having ground plus three floors. There are 62 residential rooms which can accommodate 10 persons totaling to 620 persons.
In block II, there are 32 kitchens with sinks and LPG cooking facilities, 8 mess areas, 96 toilets, separate urinals, four common bathrooms with showers, clothes washing and drying areas, and washbasins in the ground plus three floors.
There are resting spaces on all floors of the building, a volleyball court and lawn with benches. Round-the-clock security and CCTV system have also been put in place.