The Hindu : Kerala News : Focus on rebuilding infrastructure

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 31, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Focus on rebuilding infrastructure

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, DEC. 30. The State Government has identified reconstruction and restoration of houses, roads, bridges and water supply services, besides rehabilitating the fisheries sector as the major areas of relief work for the tsunami victims.

Of the Rs. 757-crore assistance it has sought from the Centre, the State has earmarked over Rs. 250 crores for these segments, in addition to allocating Rs. 100 crores for a special package for two villages affected by tsunami.

In its memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, by the Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, the State Government said Rs. 85 crores would be required as assistance for reconstruction of destroyed and damaged houses. It is estimated that over 5,000 houses have been fully destroyed and 12,000 partially damaged. Most of the partially damaged houses have developed structural weakness, it said.

The Government has earmarked Rs. 60 crores to carry out repairs, restoration of services, replacements and completion of schemes in terminal stages.

Water supply

The memorandum pointed to the urgent need to take steps for supply of potable water. This would prevent the spread of epidemics. Water supply sources such as tube wells, distribution pipes, transmission pipes, motors, and pumps, etc., were destroyed by the seismic sea waves. It said priority would be given to completion of schemes that can be commissioned immediately. As tube wells and similar sources have quality problems in coastal areas in terms of salinity and fluoride, river water needs to be tapped.

The memorandum said the fisheries sector had suffered a loss of Rs. 50 crores.

The tsunami strike had damaged fishermen's boats, out-board engines and fishing nets. It said the fishing harbours of Vizhinjam, Kayamkulam, Munambam, Puthiyappa, Thankassery and Moplah Bay had been very badly damaged.

With regard to the damage to roads and building, the memorandum sought assistance of Rs. 124 crores. Majority of the roads in Kollam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam have been damaged.

The memorandum said the tsunami attack emphasised the need to construct sea walls in the uncovered regions.

The seismic waves have caused severe damage in Alappuzha, Kollam and Ernakulam, and moderate damage in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Kannur districts. In the recent calamity, the unwalled portions suffered the most.

This has proved the utility of sea walls, the memorandum said.

Compensation

The State had paid Rs. 2 crores as compensation for loss of life and Rs. 5 crores for compensation for treatment of injuries.

It would incur an expenditure of Rs. 25 crores on relief camps and Rs. 15 crores on providing free ration. It had suffered crop loss of Rs. 25 crores, cattle loss of Rs. 5 crores, and KSEB loss Rs. 10 crores, the memorandum said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala