ALL EARS: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy seeking information from GVMC Commissioner N. Srikanth at a press conference in the city on Saturday. PCC president K. Keshava Rao and others are also seen. — Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

VISAKHAPATNAM: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has announced that repair works to roads damaged during the recent heavy rain will be taken up at a cost of over Rs.10 crores.

Talking to mediapersons here on Saturday before leaving by helicopter to Araku where seven people died, he said six others died in Visakhapatnam city taking the toll to 13. An ex gratia of Rs.50,000 was being given to the next of kin and efforts were on to provide all assistance to the families of the victims, he added.

On damages to houses, he said 140 were fully damaged and 391 partially. They would be reconstructed under the Indira Awas Yojna. During the last couple of days, seven relief camps were conducted by the district administration. In the case of houses inundated, each family was given 20 kg of rice.

Power restored

Power was restored in 25 municipalities covering the three north Andhra districts, barring Srikakulam, where the damage was more severe.

In Visakhaptnam district, it was restored to a great extent, except in five mandal headquarters where the work was in progress.

"I have advised the district administration to take steps like chlorination, etc., to control epidemics which may break out as the water recedes. Under the Greater Visakha Municipal Corporation limits the roads have been breached at 111 places and it will cost Rs.9.5 crores for repairs. Similarly, in Bheemunipatnam and Anakapalle, roads have been damaged to the extent of Rs.50 lakhs and Rs. 6 lakhs and they will also be repaired immediately," Dr. Reddy said.

The Chief Minister said that six reservoirs - Raiwada, Gambhiram, Kalyanapulova, Meghadrigedda, Konam and Mudasarlova - were full.

Crop damage

Referring to damage to crops, mainly sugarcane in 2,000 hectares was submerged. However, the crop was not lost and once the water recedes, it could be reaped. Regarding paddy, nurseries in 200 hectares and crop on a similar extent and banana on 12 hectares were affected, he disclosed.

On inundation of Vizag airport once again, Dr. Reddy said that last year Rs.1 crore was sanctioned for temporary restoration work of which 60 per cent was completed. A permanent solution was being worked out and the report of the consultancy agency would be ready in a couple of months. Regarding overflowing stormwater drains in the city, he said that tenders were called for to tackle it and Rs.15 crores was sanctioned for the work under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission.

The Chief Minister, on his arrival at the helipad at the Port Stadium, was greeted by newly elected ZP chairman G. Ramamurthy Naidu. Visakhapatnam-II MLA S. Rangaraju presented a cheque for Rs.1 lakh to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

Commercial Taxes Minister Konathala Ramakrishna, PCC president K. Keshava Rao, legislators and others welcomed Dr. Reddy.

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