KOLLAM: Major projects for improving the quality of life of the residents of Alapad will be implemented through the Rs.42.5-crore Tsunami Rehabilitation Project (TRP) for the Alapad grama panchayat announced recently. Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran made the announcement on Thursday on behalf of the State-level committee for the implementation of the TRP. Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan heads the committee.

While the draft proposals for the Alapad projects have been prepared, these will be finalised after talks between the Alapad panchayat, the stakeholders, and the State-level committee for the implementation of the TRP. The main projects at Alapad will be a Community Resource Centre (CRC) and a Common Production Centre (CPC).

Women will be trained for non-fisheries alternative livelihood under the CPC. It is designed to serve as a common selling point for products manufactured by ayalkoottams (self-help groups). The projects under the CPC will include packing facility, a godown, modern kitchen, store for finished products, hot water supply, solar heating facility, nutrifood production facility, quality testing laboratory, chilling room, biogas plant and board engine repairing units.

The CRC will comprise a training hall with modern training kits, a library, sanitary complex, canteen facility, open auditorium, mosquito-proof storage rooms, rainwater harvesting facility, creche, playschool, bank facility, sales outlet, generator room and an Information Technology centre. All civil constructions will be disaster-resistant.

Apart from alternative livelihood, the other aims of the project include community development, women's empowerment, health, education and nutrition.

Within the project area, e-development, e-governance, e-health and e-commerce modules through rural information and communication technology kiosks with the involvement of self-help groups and partnership of corporates are being worked out.

The project will also comprise a telemedicine centre. For the purpose, the committee has already held discussions with the Regional Cancer Centre and the latter has expressed willingness. Though the telemedicine centre will be housed at Alapad, people from the surrounding areas would also be able to make use of the facility.

Even though the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is funding the project under the Asian Tsunami Fund, it is on a reimbursement mode. It means that the State Government will spend the money from the Budget provision and get it reimbursed from the ADB after completion of the project.

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