12 July 2005 — Pudukkuppam, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu Government had allotted three acres of land for the rehabilitation of tsunami victims in Pudukuppam, Cuddalore. Ashram is building a total of 88 houses in this village and another 14 of which are in the properties of the recipients. This village witnessed the highest number deaths in the Cuddalore district. 101 lives were lost from 350 families at Pudukuppam. In addition to the houses, the colony will also have a community center and day-care centre.
Construction is progressing well since the foundation stone for the houses was laid on 20 May. Isolated column footing work for all the houses is complete. Concrete work for 72 of the houses in the site is complete. More than 400 people are working at the construction site. Bricks necessary for the construction are made at the site. A team of workers produce as many as 2,500 bricks a day. The site also houses machines for carpentry and steel work.
Work starts as early as six in the morning. The workers take a break at 11 a.m. since the temperature during daytime is very high. The temperature may even rise up to 45 degree celsius. After tea, the work resumes at four in the evening again and goes on till 12 at night.
Food for the workers is cooked and served at the Ashram kitchen situated at the construction site. Using hand pumps, pure water for drinking and construction is taken from a depth of three meters.