Is the Chooralmala housing project structurally sound? Kerala Revenue Minister issues firm clarification

Kottayam: Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan on Friday firmly rejected allegations regarding the quality of construction in the Chooralmala Model Township housing project. Speaking to the media in Kottayam, the minister asserted that all materials used were of good quality and that the structures were built to last.

"The houses are constructed on six pillars, dug 10 feet deep and reinforced wherever required. These are further extended to nine pillars, with a 45 cm belt for added strength. Provisions have also been made to add a second floor if needed," he said. "There is also a guarantee for the home and home appliances too," he added.

Minister Rajan clarified that the Nedumbala and Elstone Estates were taken over on October 2, the 62nd day after the disaster. However, legal hurdles delayed government entry into the estates after the owners secured a favourable court verdict on December 27. It was only after this that the land acquisition process moved forward, culminating in the acquisition on April 13, 2025, with construction commencing the same day.

The first house was completed in just three and a half months, from April 13 to July 30, to reassure the public. “The media visited the site. People inspected the houses, rubbed the walls to test the paint, checked the closets, and even examined the foundation pits. Everyone left satisfied,” the minister said.

He dismissed claims that the ground floor of the house cost ₹30 lakh and the upper floor ₹15 lakh as “a deliberate conspiracy to undermine the government’s efforts”.

“This false propaganda is not merely an attack on the ruling or opposition parties; it is an affront to the collective dignity of 3.5 crore Malayalis and the ongoing disaster relief efforts they have undertaken,” Minister Rajan said.

Construction is reportedly underway in all four designated zones of the township project.