100 day program to build 75 houses for landslide-hit families in Meeriyabadde
Tuesday, 24 February 2015 01:23
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The Ministry of Plantation Infrastructure Development has taken initiative to construct 75 houses for Meeriyabadde landslide affected families in Badulla District. The landslides occurred on 29 October 2014 which made 75 families homeless. Under the 100 day program, action has been initiated to construct good condition houses for the families affected by the landslide disaster said the Secretary, Ministry of Plantation Infrastructure Development V. Sivagnanasothy.
The program will focus on decent housing with ownership and will have features such as space, light, ventilation, privacy, access to water and sanitation. Under the 100 day program, individual houses are to be constructed with 550 sq. ft floor area on a seven perch land to the affected victims said Sivagnanasothy. Each house will have two bedrooms, veranda, kitchen, and latrine. Further, the provision of titles will protect the households from eviction and empower estate community to live in dignity.
A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Minister of Plantation Infrastructure Development Palani Thigambaram on 20 February to finalise the plan for implementation. The Urban Development Authority (UDA) has designed the plan in close consultation with the Ministry of Plantation Infrastructure Development and other agencies such as Plantation Human Development Trust (PHDT), National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), Sri Lanka Army, Ministry of Plantation Industries, Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) and the representatives of the beneficiaries.
This housing imitative will be based on a ‘village concept’ with facilities such as access road, water supply, electricity, schools, health centres, community halls and childcare centres etc. Originally the land selected was in Malvan Division of Ampitikanda estate which was not much acceptable to the affected people. Thigamparam visited the site with the team of officials and had discussion with the people and a more acceptable site was selected in the Poonagala division, Poonagala Estate of the Maskeliya Plantation in Badulla district. This land was also recommended by NBRO as a geologically stable and disaster free location. As such the aspirations of the affected people and geological and technical concerns were taken care. The per unit cost of each house is estimated to be Rs. 1.2 million. In addition, provision has also been made for access roads, water, electricity and other facilities. Sivagnanasothy confirms that under the 100 day program, ground breaking is scheduled on 1 March at 10 a.m. at the Poonagala division site in Badulla. The Ministry is expecting to complete this housing program within a period of six months under an accelerated initiative.
