The government’s efforts would be geared towards rebuilding ‘Nava Keralam,’ a new and modern State, with total people’s participation, where only environment-friendly construction practices and buildings will be allowed, CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said. The recent floods should be turned into an opportunity for creating a model State, he added.
Addressing media at a talk series on “Kerala, post-flood” being organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club here on Saturday, Mr. Balakrishnan said the CPI(M)-led government would bring in a new legislation which would not tolerate encroachments and allow the construction of only environment-friendly buildings, especially in ecologically sensitive areas like Munnar. He said hazard zone mapping was emerging as a new priority for the State as landslips and similar calamities seem to be recurring in the same locales. Finding safe and suitable land to rehabilitate people was a priority as well as a challenge for the government, he said