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Landslide-hit Malin village awaits auspicious day to shift to quake-proof homes

Maharashtra govt has reconstructed a new village for Rs 15 cr, but it lacks water resources

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For Dilip Bhagwan Lende (35), resident of Malin village in Ambegaon Taluka of Pune district, nearly 200 km from Mumbai, fetching four buckets of water from the Bobra river down the hill three times a day is a routine.

Lende, a tribal farmer, has no complaints even when staying in a tin-shed rehabilitation centre for two-and-a- half years now.

The man had lost 11 family members – his mother, father, elder brother, sister-in-law and seven nephews and nieces – on the wee hours of July 30, 2014, when the entire Malin hamlet, situated in the foothill of Sahyadri mountain range, disappeared within a minute following a landslide. It left 151 people dead.

"No pain can be bigger than losing your entire family in seconds," says Lende, who, like many other survivors, was away from their homes at that time for farming or some other reason.

Water is the second most precious thing after life for Lende and 50 other people here. March to May is the most difficult period for them as piped water supply dries up and scorching heat in the tin-shade makes life more cumbersome.

Interestingly, the district administration has constructed a brand new Malin village, with 67 quake-proof houses a month ago for rehabilitating the affected families. New Malin has a big water tank set-up at the top of the hill and every house has been connected with water pipeline.

Houses have been allotted to families on paper. The Housing Society of Malin has been formed. A primary school, primary health centre, anganwadi and other basic amenities are ready.

However, the administration is waiting for an "auspicious" day – the Hindu New Year, called Gudi Padva in Maharashtra, which starts on Monday (today) – and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' time to hand over the keys to the villagers. Now, it seems the function has been postponed to April 2.

Spread over 8 acres of land close to the original village, selected and purchased after several negotiations with the stakeholders and in consultation with the Geological Survey of India, the construction of new Malin took nearly 15 months. The project cost is roughly Rs 15 crore, a part of which was contributed by corporate houses and NGOs.

Each house has a 450 sq-ft carpet area against the government norm of 269 sq ft for natural disaster-affected people. The entire house is made up of steel and concrete and consists of one bed room, hall, and kitchen with marble platform, toilets and a small open area.

"Since the houses are ready, they should be given to us," says Lende, looking at his newly born son who was restless in the scorching heat under the tin-shade. Other villagers like Sitabai Virnak, who lost her husband, son, daughter and son-in-law, and, Vitthal Dangat, who lost his wife and son, echoed the sentiment.

However, new Malin doesn't have any water source which can be used to fill the tank. Villagers feel their life would be more troubled in the new place as they would have to walk more to fetch water.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate and Deputy Collector of Ambegaon, Kalyan Pandhare, downplayed the issue.

"We are hopeful to get the CM on April 2. A function has been planned for the day. The CM and some other ministers would hand over the keys to the villagers. However, the handing over is taking time because some some small works are still pending and not because we are waiting for an auspicious day or the CM's time." Chaitra Navarati, considered auspicious, falls on April 2.

On lack of water source in the new township, Pandhare claimed: "We would use water tankers to provide water to the new township. Besides, construction of an incomplete dam nearby would be completed. This would help us to address the water issue."

The Malin tragedy

151 dead, 9 injured
90% of the deceased tribals, 10% schedule caste
White Army, RSS conducted funerals of the dead
Each affected family was given Rs 8.5 lakh compensation per deceased person
This includes compensations from CM's and PM's relief funds and the Maharashtra govt
80% in bank FDs

New Malin Homes (67 units)
Contribution: State govt, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Empathy Foundation, one day salary of Pune govt employees

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