‘State looking at global models too’

  • | Sunday | 7th October, 2018

Global models are being considered for re-building Kerala, says Cherian Philip, co-ordinator of Nava Keralam Mission. A clear picture on how to rebuild post-flood Kerala will evolve by November. Beyond making donations, expatriates will be encouraged to invest in such projects in the second phase of Rebuild Kerala. Rebuilding Kerala is not something that the State Cabinet alone can decide. When is the ‘Rebuild Kerala’ project expected to take-off?

more-in Global models are being considered for re-building Kerala, says Cherian Philip, co-ordinator of Nava Keralam Mission. In a telephonic interview, Mr. Philip said KPMG’s advice would not be the last word in the re-building exercise. When is the ‘Rebuild Kerala’ project expected to take-off? A clear picture on how to rebuild post-flood Kerala will evolve by November. The public and political debates along with preliminary brainstorming sessions over ways to implement the ‘Rebuild Kerala’ initiative are presently under way. Global models of Holland and Japan for overcoming natural disasters are also being considered. Rebuilding Kerala is not something that the State Cabinet alone can decide. Wide range of consultations, including with international agencies, is under way to mobilise opinions. The concept of Rebuild Kerala is based on the premise that with farsightedness and willpower, it is not just possible to recover from the disaster but to turn it into an opportunity to build a new Kerala. We are in the process of drawing up long-term plans towards achieving that objective. Projects like the Kochi airport, which stand testimony to the success of public-private participation model with the assistance of expatriate Malayalis, will be identified in rebuilding the State. The the support of institutions such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB) can also be leveraged. Beyond making donations, expatriates will be encouraged to invest in such projects in the second phase of Rebuild Kerala. Holland, once known for its infamous floods, is a perfect example of how it is possible to recover and rebuild from disasters through ingenious water and land management. Japan, which withstood devastating bombings and natural disasters, including earthquakes, was another example to which he drew attention. Rebuilding Kerala does not mean building exactly as it existed previously. For instance, land will have to be identified to relocate people from vulnerable areas hit by landslides and floods. The government is under the scanner for having outsourced the consultancy task to KPMG. KPMG was chosen in view of the agency’s Dutch roots and their expertise in having done flood-related studies. Their advice will also be considered but the State Cabinet reserves the right whether to accept it or not. Theirs will not be the final word in decision regarding the post-flood rebuilding of Kerala. While the State cannot compensate the loss of lives at all or compensate in full the losses worth crores of rupees suffered by the people, we can, however, learn from those losses and build a new Kerala through sheer hard work and unity.

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