Southern Naval Command Chief Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla handed over the keys of newly constructed houses to three flood-hit families of the Cheriya Kadmakudy island on Thursday.

The houses that were sponsored by the Navy belong to Binu P.P. of Puliyal Parambil House, Mariyamma of Pashni Parambil House, and Joseph Antony of Madathil Parambil House, and have been constructed at a total cost of₹28 lakh, said a press release.

The 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. The project was being steered by INS Venduruthy and has been completed in five-and-a-half months.

Green Village

The Navy is also installing solar power equipment at all the 55 houses of Cheriya Kadmakudy of which 30 have been completed, including the three newly constructed houses. Cheriya Kadamakudy will, therefore, be a fully Green Village in the next few weeks.

Vice Admiral Chawla also laid foundation for a steel arch bridge connecting Cheriya Kadamakudi with Pizhala Islands. The existing concrete walkway bridge has been declared unsafe even for pedestrians. The new bridge will be constructed next to the existing bridge and will be 50 metres long and 3.5 metres wide. Vehicles of up to 4 tonne weight will be able to ply on this bridge, thus providing the much-needed connectivity to the villagers.