SASCI fund usage plan raises eyebrows

Time of India

8 hours ago

Kozhikode: Even as hundreds of families hit by the devastating Chooralmala–Mundakkai landslide in Wayanad a year ago struggle with unmet rehabilitation needs, state govt is set to channel a substantial portion of the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme (SASCI) funds granted by the Centre as long-term loan for building helipads, roads and constructing a new Rs 30cr D-block for the civil station which will house the district disaster management authority (DDMA) office.
Of the 16 SASCI projects granted administrative nod include construction of more than half a dozen helipads in the district at a cost of Rs 9cr. Also, administrative sanction has been accorded for constructing a roads even to locations rendered highly vulnerable by the landslide. The selection of the projects has raised serious concerns over priorities in post-disaster recovery and long-term sustainability.
For instance, of the Rs 529.5cr sanctioned by the Centre in Feb under SASCI, Rs 9cr is being allotted for setting up nine helipads in the district, including in Meppadi and other panchayats, along with approach roads.
Govt authorities maintained that the helipads are being set up as part of disaster preparedness but the question being raised is whether this aligns with the district's actual priorities.
Also, Rs 9cr has been allotted for construction of a road from disaster-hit Chooralmala to Attamala across the Bailey bridge. Meppadi panchayat authorities said that the remaining 27 families in Attamala are seeking relocation citing safety concerns to the township being built for landslide survivors.
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That apart, five tribal families in the Erattukundu settlement are being rehabilitated in 15 acres at Puthiya village near Chooralmala.
Also, a new bridge connecting Punchirimattom to Vanarani and approach road has been sanctioned at a cost of Rs 7cr.
"The road projects to the disaster zone would only benefit the Harissons Malayalam Ltd and also players in the tourism sector. Construction of a bridge across Punnapuzha is fine.
What is the need to build new roads at such high costs to the disaster-affected areas when even the remaining people who are not included in the beneficiary lists are seeking moving out from the area?," Wayanad district panchayat president Shamsad Marakkar asked.
He added that already there are helicopter landing spots in all the three assembly constituencies in the district and there are many other suitable areas which can be used for the purpose.
"The state govt had not asked our suggestions on the projects to be implemented using the SASCI funds. We and the DDMA were asked to find locations for the projects," Marakkar said.
Also, SACSI projects include Rs 60cr improvement works to Muttil-Meppadi road and construction of a new bridge at Chooralmala at a cost of Rs 38cr. The govt has also allotted SACSI funds for setting up 15 MLD capacity WTP at Karapuzha at a cost of Rs 22.5cr.
However, disaster-related rehabilitation and preparedness projects being set up using SASCI funds include construction of public buildings in rehabilitation township at Elstone Estate and roads to the township. The other projects include Rs 65cr for first phase of removal of debris at Punnapuzha and river training, three fire and rescue stations, reconstruction of GVHSS Vellarmala nd GLPS, Mundakkai, eight multipurpose shelters.
Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi president K Badusha said that building new roads to disaster-hit areas was to help the tourism lobby. "The disaster-hit region is very fragile and poses risk of further landslides and any new development activity there would be a recipe for disaster. The SASCI fund should have been put to use in a creative and sustainable manner. Why should it be used for setting up new block in the civil station under the cover of housing DDMA complex?," he asked.