QSS Neelima flat complex, one of the major housing projects under the Punargeham fisher rehabilitation scheme, is all set to welcome its residents. A total of 114 families from the fishing community are the beneficiaries of the project at Pallithottam and Fisheries Minister V. Abdurahiman will hand over the keys to them at a function to be held on September 29.
The 35-year-old derelict buildings at the colony were completely demolished for the construction of Neelima. Many flats in the old QSS colony were in a dilapidated stage, posing threat to the lives of residents. The decision to rebuild these was taken at a meeting chaired by the then Fisheries Minister J. Mercykutty Amma in 2018. The complex had 179 families living there and the Fisheries department had sanctioned funds for constructing 114 flats. The Kollam Corporation is funding the other 65 units.
Construction of the flats started in 2020 and it was carried out under the supervision of the Kerala State Coastal Development Corporation. A total of 11 blocks in three phases have been constructed at a cost of ₹13.51 crore. While ₹11.40 crore was set aside for the construction, infrastructure facilities, including electricity, drinking water, compound wall and drains, were installed at a cost of ₹2.11 crore.
