The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Desalination plant set up at Akkaraipettai

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 12, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Desalination plant set up at Akkaraipettai

By Our Staff Reporter

NAGAPATTINAM, JAN. 11. A desalination plant had been set up in Akkaraipettai for providing water to the villagers, the District Collector, J. Radhakrishnan, said here today .

At a press conference, the Collector said that the plant could treat up to 40,000 litres of water a day. Two more units, each capable of treating 5,000 litres a day, were being set up at the Government Headquarters Hospital here and at Chinnurpettai village .

The construction of temporary sheds was in full swing. Till date, 2,200 sheds, with all basic amenities, had been constructed at 38 locations in the district. Mr. Radhakrishnan said that it was planned to shift those affected from the relief centres to the temporary sheds before Pongal .

Another causeway was being constructed between Akkaraipettai and Kallar by using huge pipes and the debris removed from the tsunami-affected areas.

A sum of Rs. 46.67 crores had been disbursed to the affected families in the coastal villages. Besides, Rs. 53 lakhs had been given to 300 fishermen for purchasing nets and catamarans.

To a question, the Collector said that of the 176 high and higher secondary schools in the district, 170 were functioning. All the 1,023 primary and middle schools were working as usual. The attendance was around 40 to 50 per cent in the tsunami-affected areas and more than 80 per cent in the other areas. Free books and uniforms had been issued to the affected students.

Family cards

Mr. Radhakrishnan pointed out that 55 part-time and full-time fair price shops had been opened in the affected villages and 13,917 new family cards issued.

The death toll had risen to 6,054 in the district with the recovery of a body in Sattankudi village today.

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