Govt will construct houses for flood victims: Khader

Minister for Urban Development and Housing U T Khader said the state government will construct houses for the victims who lost their homes in the Kodagu floods and help affected people start afresh.

Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, he said that the Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Commissioner Anup Kumar is in Kodagu district and will discuss the issue with the deputy commissioner on the losses.

“After a survey of the houses lost in the flood and landslides, the government will work out modalities for the construction of the houses on the land identified by the district administration,” he said.

The corporation AGM Pasha will visit Sampaje and Jodupala shortly to conduct a survey on the loss of houses. After a detailed project is prepared, the issue will be discussed with chief minister for final approval, he said.

He said that the government has taken up the responsibility of constructing houses for the victims. They will be provided with all the necessary facilities. Some organisations have extended helping hand with the district administration in carrying out rescue operations.

He thanked all the multiple agencies, including NDRF and army personnel, who are involved in the rescue operation at the flood-ravaged Kodagu district.

Some organisations/associations collecting funds from the public, on the roadside, is sending a wrong message. The organisations must raise fund among its members and hand it over to the needy directly, he said. Bridges were also washed away in the landslides following the flash floods at Kalmakaru, Yaladalu, and Balekallu which will be repaired shortly. The officials have also been asked to prepare an estimate for the damaged bridge at Neriya as well, said the minister.

All Kannadigas who were caught in the Kerala floods at the divine retreat centre have been safely evacuated. All the victims have reached Karnataka safely. In fact, the KSRTC had arranged a special bus from Thrissur to Bengaluru to get the victims back home, he said.