Tamil Nadu - Cuddalore   

Work on houses for tsunami-hit to begin today

Special Correspondent

Quake, cyclone-proof

CUDDALORE: Work on the construction of permanent houses for the tsunami-affected in Cuddalore district is set to begin on May 20. The work will be completed in four months, well before the onset of monsoon, according to Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Collector.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr Bedi said the structures would be earthquake-proof and cyclone-proof. The concrete beams or belts to be incorporated in the structures will enable the houses to withstand the force of wind and waves.

The Special Commissioner and the Commissioner for Revenue Administration had given four prototypes of houses to be built, with provision for making slight modifications as per the wishes of the beneficiaries. However, all the houses (each costing Rs 1.50 lakhs) would be built in conformity with the Coastal Zone Regulation guidelines, he said.

In all, 2,304 permanent houses would be built, for which 67.42 acres was needed. So far, 45.41 acres had been acquired (33.26 acres by the government, and the rest by the people of M.G.R.Thittu and Muzhukkuthurai) at a cost of Rs 2.5 crores.

Negotiations would soon be finalised for acquiring the remaining land. Mr Bedi underscored the point that all the plots were located adjoining the affected places, and hence, the fishermen would have no anxiety over the distance.

Staircase

The Collector said the houses would have staircases for drying fish as well as a safety measure: for, many people escaped the fury of the tsunami by reaching the terrace.

The 300-350 sq.ft houses would come up on 1.5 cents in urban areas and on 3 cents in the rural areas.

The ownership would lie in the joint names of the husband and wife, with a condition that they should not transfer or sell the property for the next 10 years.

In the case of 21 orphans who lost both the parents, the guardians would act as a caretaker of the property.

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Work on houses for tsunami-hit to begin today

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