Vice-Admiral hands over keys to houses for the flood-hit

The Southern Naval Command of the Indian Navy Thursday handed over the keys of newly constructed houses to three families living in a village near here that was hit by last years devastating floods.

"As part of the rehabilitation activities being undertaken by the Southern Naval Command after the devastating floods of August 2018, Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (C-in-C), Southern Naval Command, handed over the keys of newly constructed houses to three families of Cheriya Kadmakkudi," a Defence release said here Thursday.

The houses that were sponsored by the Indian Navy belong to Binu PP of Puliyal Parambil House, Mariyamma of Pashni Parambil House, and Joseph Antony of Madathil Parambil House, and have been constructed at a total cost of Rs 28 lakh, the release said.

The project was being steered by INS Venduruthy and 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 would, therefore, be a fully green village in the next few weeks," it said.

The residents of the village were in for a big surprise, when the C-in-C announced construction of a steel arch bridge connecting Cheriya Kadamakudi with Pizhala Island and laid the foundation stone for the infrastructure facility.

The residents have been requesting for a new bridge since the floods receded, as 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 would be constructed adjacent to the existing bridge and would be 50 metres long and 3.5 metres wide.

Vehicles upto 4 tonne would be able to ply on this bridge, thus providing the much-needed connectivity to the villagers, it said.

The C-in-C was accompanied by president of Navy Wives Welfare Association (Southern Region) Sapana Chawla and a few other senior officers.

The rehabilitation package was earlier announced by Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba during his visit to Muttinakam in August last, and has been funded by the Indian Navy, which includes contributions from service personnel of Southern Naval Command.