The fishing community, languishing at Valiyathura Govt Regional Technical and Vocational Fisheries High School after their homes were washed away in the 2013 sea erosion, will soon get their own houses. The rehabilitation of the victims -promised by the state government two months ago – will be a reality as the government started the housing and rehabilitation scheme on Wednesday. The foundation laying ceremony of the 160-house flat complex on the premises of Muttathara sewage treatment plant was done by chief minister Pinarayi The chief minister said that the project is a first-of-its-kind as the entire project is carried out solely by the government of Kerala under its housing scheme LIFE. “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure housing for its people. This project is just a beginning as it will be extended throughout the state soon with an aim to provide housing for all within five years,” he said. According to official records, around 4,000 people from fishing community in the district are homeless, including the 117 who moved to relief camps opened at the Govt LPGS, Govt.UP School and Fisheries High School after 2013 sea erosion. Many people have been staying at the camps in unhygienic conditions. Though the previous government had assured their rehabilitation by allotting 3.5 acres land at the sewage plant, the project was delayed due to various issues. It was in October 2016 that Mercykutty, who visited the relief camps, promised to begin the construction within the current financial year. Mercykutty said that immediate housing was inevitable for those people who have been living a deplorable life for years. “The plan is to construct 160 apartments at the allotted 3.5 acres on the premises of the sewage treatment plant. Each apartment will have two bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and a hall. There will be eight apartments in each two-storeyed block and 20 such blocks will be constructed. The flat complex will be constructed by Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society Ltd. and the project will be completed within nine months,” she said.
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