Kerala Minister Clarifies 'Shrinkage' Not Cracks in Wayanad Relief Houses

Kerala Revenue Minister K. Rajan addressed allegations regarding structural defects in government-built housing for survivors of the 2024 Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide in Wayanad. During a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, Rajan clarified that minor shrinkages detected in two of the 178 completed houses were not structural cracks, contrary to media portrayals. He emphasized that the contracted agency, Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS), and government engineers from KIIFCON conducted rigorous quality control tests, including water ponding procedures. Rajan personally inspected the sites to verify engineering reports and highlighted the five-year defect liability warranty provided for the civil works. The statement comes amid political tension, with Opposition leaders criticizing the Minister’s direct involvement in technical inspections. Concurrently, ruling party leaders have questioned the Opposition’s failure to deliver on promised housing projects, turning the issue into a focal point of recent Assembly election debates. The first phase of the township project was officially inaugurated on March 1, 2026, providing homes to 178 displaced families.