Construction of 149 houses in the second phase of the Wayanad township project at Elston Estate in Kalpetta, being developed to rehabilitate survivors of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides, is nearing completion.

The government aims to complete the houses by the end of October, with the remaining public amenities expected to be ready by December.

With the completion of the second phase, the total number of houses in the township will reach 327. Of the 178 houses completed in the first phase, 177 families have moved in.

Earlier this month, Agriculture Minister T. Siddique, who is in charge of Wayanad, said after a review meeting that construction of the second-phase houses would be completed by October 31. The draw of lots to allot houses to beneficiaries is scheduled for November 1.

The township is being developed to provide safe housing and essential amenities to families who lost their homes in the July 2024 landslides.

Construction of an anganwadi, a health centre, a market, public toilets and internal roads is under way, with these facilities expected to be ready by the end of the year. The government is also considering proposals to establish a parade ground and a school in the township.

The tendering process for a skill park, estimated to cost ₹15 crore and intended to provide employment opportunities to disaster survivors, is expected to begin soon.

The township incorporates several environment-friendly features. All houses handed over to beneficiaries have been provided with three-layer bio-compost bins to facilitate waste segregation and processing. Each house also has a 2-kW rooftop solar power plant operating under a net-metering system.

An additional solar power system to meet the requirements of common facilities is expected to reduce the township’s dependence on the electricity grid.