THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after the cabinet decided to build new flats for the residents of Karimadom Colony in the city and rehabilitate them, Health Minister V S Sivakumar visited the colony on Thursday.
The Minister said that the flats that are in a dangerous condition would be rebuilt. Seventy-two families residing in six blocks will be immediately shifted. For the families to take a transit accommodation, the government will provide a sum of Rs 2,000 every month. Housing Board will be entrusted with the task of construction activity that will commence soon. Steps will be taken to arrange sewage mechanism. The state-level inauguration of the health scheme for the residents of colonies which had been announced earlier - USHUS (Urban Slum Health Upliftment Scheme) - will be held in Karimadom Colony this month, the Minister said during the visit.
The decision of the cabinet was to construct new flats for 70 families in the colony. Monsoon showers had been a cause of fear for the residents for quite long with the old flats getting damaged in the heavy showers. In June, the Chief Minister, Health Minister and Urban Affairs Minister had visited the colony following sunshades collapsing in certain flats. At that time, the government had approved a study report for the development of Karimadom colony which, the Chief Minister promised, would be implemented soon.
During Thursday’s visit, Corporation councillors and other people’s representatives accompanied the Minister.