Phase I of the Wayanad township was inaugurated and keys were handed to 178 families as the state set new housing and relief measures. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan characterised the initiative as an act of compassion and said it showed the Kerala model of solidarity amid obstacles including denial of Central assistance and attempts to undermine the rehabilitation. He credited unity and support for making the project a reality. The government said it had provided Rs6,000 as monthly rent for all disaster survivors and allocated Rs172 million (Rs172 mn) for livelihood support and Rs20 million (Rs20 mn) to assist 21 children who lost their parents. In addition, 858 families were to receive food coupons of Rs1,000 per month. The Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund received Rs7.7398 billion (Rs7.7398 bn) for the project while the State decided to assume loan arrears totalling Rs187.5 million (Rs187.5 mn) for 555 disaster victims after the Union government did not provide support. The township was built by the Uralungal Labour Contract Society, which deployed thousands of workers with precise planning. The township includes community facilities and infrastructure such as a community hall, a disaster shelter, a football ground, a disaster memorial, shops, a materials depot, a water reservoir and sewage treatment plants along with an underground electricity distribution network and drainage. It includes a water tank with a capacity of 0.95 million litres (0.95 mn litres) and a solar power plant of two kilowatt (kW) capacity in each house. The layout is planned in five zones and is built in 35 clusters of eight to 10 houses, each cluster around a green courtyard. Individual owners will receive separate title deeds for their houses. Construction of houses for remaining beneficiaries was nearing completion with keys expected before the next monsoon and a revival plan for affected businesses is being implemented. The Revenue Minister K. Rajan said the township exemplified the Left Democratic Front government’s approach of delivering beyond ceremonials. Officials said the project combined relief measures with long term livelihood and infrastructure support.