Kochi: As part of the rehabilitation activities being undertaken by the Southern Naval Command after the devastating floods of August last, Vice-Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, handed over the keys of the newly-constructed houses to three families of Cheriya Kadmakkudi on Thursday.
The houses were built for P.P. Binu of Puliyal Parambil, Mariyamma of Pashni Parambil, and Joseph Antony of Madathil Parambil, in five-and-a-half months at a total cost of Rs 28 lakh. Each house has bedrooms, drawing room and kitchen with modern amenities in all the rooms.
The Navy is also installing solar power equipment in all the 55 houses of Cheriya Kadmakkudi, of which 30 have been completed. "Cheriya Kadamakudi will, therefore, be a fully green village in the next few weeks," said a Defence officer.
The residents of the village were in for a big surprise when Vice-Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla announced construction of a steel arch bridge connecting Cheriya Kadamakudi with Pizhala Island and laid the foundation for the same.
The residents have been requesting for a new bridge since the floods receded, as the existing concrete walkway bridge has been in a dilapidated condition for long. It was recently declared unsafe even for pedestrian traffic by the Public Works Department.
The new bridge will be constructed adjacent to the existing bridge and will be 50 metres long and 3.5 metres wide.
Vehicles up to 4 tonnes will be able to ply on this bridge, thus providing the much-needed connectivity to the villagers.
The Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, was accompanied by Mrs Sapana Chawla, president, Navy Wives Welfare Association (Southern Region), and a few other senior officers.
