Even as the construction of 37 houses for gypsy families at Park Town in Valliyoor is nearing completion and the houses are expected to be ready for inauguration in mid-August, Collector M. Karunakaran on Friday inspected the finished houses and the ongoing work.
The dream of owning an all-weather concrete shelter came true for 37 gypsy families at Park Town as foundation stone for constructing the residential colony for them was laid on December 6 last, thanks to the sustained efforts of Dr. Karunakaran.
When the Rs. 500-crore Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Neighbourhood Development Programme was set in motion, the Collector arranged for funds for the construction of houses for gypsies.
Construction of 37 concrete houses, each planned with a plinth area of 327 square feet and at a cost of Rs. 3 lakh, has been taken-up on an outlay of Rs. 1.11 crore. Each house has a sit-out, living room, bedroom, kitchen, toilet, rainwater harvesting structure and a compound wall. Radhapuram MLA S. Michael Royappan, whose efforts ensured the immediate distribution of ration cards to the gypsy families, also accompanied the Collector during the inspection on Friday.
“Basic infrastructure would be created in this colony in a phased manner,” Dr. Karunakaran told a group of gypsy women who aired a few grievances during the inspection. Project Director, District Rural Development Agency, H. Vijayakumar said all possible steps and care had been taken for ensuring the quality of construction.
