Bhubaneswar: Once again stressing on disaster-resilient infrastructure, Odisha government on Friday sought a Rs 20,000-crore package from the Centre.
Placing the demand and other requirements before the Inter-Ministerial Central Team that undertook spot assessment of the damages caused by cyclone Amphan, Chief Secretary Asit Kumar Tripathy apprised that preliminary estimate of Rs 20,000 crore has been made for resilient infrastructure building and immediate restoration of the damages caused by cyclone Amphan.
“Resilient infrastructure building is thrust of our memorandum,” said Tripathy adding that a final memorandum will be sent by next week.
Additional Chief Secretary and SRC Pradeep Jena, during the meeting, emphasised on laying of underground cables in urban areas, resilient power transmission and distribution infrastructure in rural areas, building remote control GIS grid, raising height of the saline embankments (up to 6.5 mts above the sea level) and converting 1.66 lakh kuccha houses to cyclone resilient pucca houses.
The seven-member Central team appreciated the preparedness, response and disaster management measures by Odisha government and restoration of power within 24 to 72 hours after cyclone Amphan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier announced an immediate advance assistance of Rs 500 for Odisha to carry out immediate relief and restoration works in the districts ravaged by cyclone Amphan.
On May 22, PM Modi had conducted an aerial survey of the districts affected by cyclone Amphan in Odisha and West Bengal.
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(Edited By Pradeep Singh)