The Hindu Business Line : AP proposes permanent housing in flood-hit areas

THE Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, on Wednesday proposed to take up a permanent housing in the place of 1.4 lakh inundated houses, of which 1.2 lakh houses were reported to be damaged, in the flood-affected districts in the State.

A nine-member Central team led by the Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr Naveen Verma, met Dr Reddy after visiting the cyclone/flood-affected districts of East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, and Khammam, according to an official release.

Dr Reddy told the Central team that most of the houses that were damaged belong to poor people and fishermen.

He sought similar response from the Central Government as was extended during the tsunami havoc last December in the State.

The State Government proposes to build 1.4 lakh pucca houses in upland areas so that the poor do not suffer a similar situation again due to inundation in the future.

Apart from improving the drains in the agricultural fields that were prone to regular inundations during cyclones/floods, the State Government also wants to improve the infrastructure such as roads and power systems.

Further, Dr Reddy said, the Government would have to take both short-term and long-term measures to minimise the loss in all such calamities in future.

The State Government officials told the Central team that the final official loss was estimated as Rs 2,700 crore, mainly in agriculture, irrigation, roads, drinking water, electricity, housing, and municipalities.

In all, 10 districts were affected. Crops in more than 3.3 lakh hectares were damaged due to submergence. Besides, drinking water sources, irrigation sources, roads, and electrical equipment were damaged.

The State Government has sought Central assistance of Rs 2,400 crore, out of which Rs 500 crore was sought for immediate relief.

The remaining Rs 1,900 crore is meant for taking up permanent measures in the affected areas, the release said.

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