Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will lay the foundation stone for a housing project in Wayanad aimed at rehabilitating families affected by the devastating Chooralmala–Mundakkai landslides, with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joining a series of outreach events in the hill district.
The foundation-laying ceremony is scheduled for 2:30 pm in Kalpetta and marks a significant step in the Congress party’s long-term rehabilitation initiative for survivors of the catastrophic landslides that struck Wayanad in July 2024. The party has positioned the housing project as a sustained commitment to rebuilding lives in one of Kerala’s worst natural disasters in recent years.
Rahul Gandhi is expected to arrive at Kannur airport a day earlier and participate in a farmers’ meeting in Peravoor before proceeding to Kalpetta for the housing project event. His visit underscores continued political engagement in Wayanad, a constituency that has remained central to his public outreach efforts.
Housing project and rehabilitation focus
The housing initiative is being framed as part of a broader rehabilitation plan targeting families displaced or rendered homeless by the landslides in Chooralmala and Mundakkai. The disaster had caused widespread destruction, including loss of homes, livelihoods and infrastructure across the hill district.
By laying the foundation stone for the new houses, Rahul Gandhi aims to signal long-term involvement rather than short-term relief. The Congress leadership has highlighted the project as evidence of sustained grassroots engagement, emphasizing rehabilitation and reconstruction over temporary assistance.
The event in Kalpetta is expected to draw significant local participation, including community leaders and affected families. The housing project aligns with ongoing efforts by various political and social organizations in the region to provide permanent shelter solutions for survivors.
Priyanka Gandhi’s multi-day outreach in Wayanad
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s engagements begin earlier in the day with a DISHA meeting at the Collectorate. She is also scheduled to hand over advanced equipment, procured through corporate social responsibility funding from the JSW Group, to the Forest Department’s Rapid Response Team at the Kalpetta MP’s office. The initiative is aimed at strengthening the department’s ability to respond to rising concerns over human-animal conflict in the region.
Her visit extends beyond the housing project. On 27 February, she will inaugurate the laboratory of the Kalikavu Service Co-operative Bank and preside over the silver jubilee celebrations of MES School at Kaithapoyil in Thiruvambady. During the school event, she will also lay the foundation stone for a new block. Additionally, she is scheduled to visit the Chippilithode area in connection with the proposed Churam bypass project.
On 28 February, Priyanka Gandhi will inspect the site of the proposed Bairakuppa bridge project, attend the golden jubilee celebrations of the Knanaya Catholic Church and visit the residence of a Pulpally native who was recently killed in a tiger attack. She will also participate in a key-handover ceremony for houses constructed by the Indian Union Muslim League for landslide survivors.
The series of engagements reflects a blend of disaster rehabilitation, infrastructure review and community outreach. With Kerala preparing for assembly elections in the coming months, the high-profile visits are seen as part of the Congress party’s broader strategy to reinforce its presence in the region while addressing pressing local concerns.
The Wayanad housing project, in particular, represents a symbolic and practical step toward rebuilding trust and providing tangible support to families affected by the landslides, as the district continues its journey toward recovery.
