Navy brings cheer to the residents of flood-ravaged Kerala village
29 Mar 2019
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The Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy on Thursday handed over three newly-built houses to three families in Cheriya Kadmakkudi village in Ernakulam district of Kerala rendered homeless after the devastating floods of August 2018, as part of the rehabilitation activities being undertaken by the Indian Navy.
Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla, AVSM, NM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (C-in-C), Southern Naval Command, handed over the keys of newly constructed houses to three smiling families of Cheriya Kadmakkudi on Thursday.
The beneficiaries included Binu PP, Mariyamma and Joseph Antony, whose houses have been constructed at a total cost of Rs28 lakh. These new houses were built as per specific suggestions and requirements of each house owner. Each house has bedrooms, drawing room and kitchen with modern amenities such as vitrified tiles in all the rooms and electrical fittings etc, says a defence ministry release.
The project being steered by INS Venduruthy, has been completed in five and a half months.
In addition, the Navy is installing solar power equipment in all the 55 houses of Cheriya Kadmakkudi, of which 30 have been completed, including the three newly constructed houses. Cheriya Kadamakudi, will therefore be a fully Green Village in the next few weeks, says the release.
Further, the C-in-C laid the foundation for construction of a steel arch bridge connecting Cheriya Kadamakudi with Pizhala Island, a long pending demand of the residents. The existing concrete walkway bridge has been in a dilapidated condition for long, and it was recently declared unsafe even for pedestrian traffic by the PWD. 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 C-in-C was accompanied by Sapana Chawla, president, Navy Wives Welfare Association (Southern Region), and a few other senior officers. Vice Admiral Chawla was taken around the new constructions and had a good interaction with the happy families. Mrs Chawla also distributed sweets to these families.
The Rehabilitation Package was earlier announced by Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff during his visit to Muttinakam in August 2018, and has been funded by the Indian Navy, which includes contributions from service personnel of Southern Naval Command.
