Navy brings cheers to the residents of Cheriya Kadamakudi

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : As part of the rehabilitation activities being undertaken by the Southern Naval Command after the devastating floods in 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 Kadmakudi in Ernakulam district in Keralaon March 28, 2019.

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

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 same. 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 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 tons will be able to ply on this bridge thus providing the much-needed connectivity to the villagers.

The C-in-C was accompanied by Ms Sapana Chawla, President, Navy Wives Welfare Association (Southern Region), and few other senior officers. Vice Admiral Chawla was taken around the new constructions and had a good interaction with the happy families. Ms Chawla also distributed sweets to these families.

The Rehabilitation Package was earlier announced by Admiral Sunil Lanba, 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, according to a PIB release.