A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Friday (February 21, 2025) stressed the need for fixing the date of completion of the rehabilitation projects being implemented at the landslide affected areas in Wayanad.

The Bench made the observation when the State government submitted that the Centre had offered interest-free loan and sought utilisation certificates. A letter from the Central government had asked the government to utilise the loan funds for the rehabilitation projects that should be completed by March 31.

The government contended that  the Centre could not insist on a completion date at this stage.

The government also submitted that removal of debris from waterbodies in the landslides affected areas would begin in the first week of March and be completed before the onset of monsoon. The court also asked the government to furnish a timeline for the removal of debris.