Multi-crore coastal housing projects

Government to provide roads, drainage, streetlights at project sites

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Rs.14.41 crore sanctioned for dredging Cuddalore Port mouth to facilitate vessel movement to deep sea Rehabilitation benefits to be extended to Dalits and Irulas, whose livelihood depended upon marine life Rs. 3 crore protective wall proposed along the seacoast CUDDALORE: District Collector Gagandeep Singh Bedi said on Wednesday that he had submitted proposals worth Rs 150 crore to the State Government to build houses for residents of coastal areas. He said the housing projects would be taken up in two phases: at 200 metres, and from 200 metres to one kilometre from the high tide mark. Those who were willing to move out of the sea front would also get fresh houses, he said. The Government will provide basic amenities such as roads, drainage and streetlights at the project sites. The State Government had allotted Rs.3.35 crore to Cuddalore for taking up road works from the World Bank funds. Work will begin after getting clearance from the Director of Town and Country Planning and the Director of Environment. Mr. Bedi also said rehabilitation measures in the tsunami-affected areas had been reviewed at a meeting with Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in Chennai recently. He said that Cuddalore was ahead of other affected districts in the construction of permanent houses, with 2,050 of the targeted 2,323 houses already built. Rehabilitation benefits were being extended to the Dalits and Irulas, whose livelihood depended upon marine life. Mr. Bedi disclosed that the Asian Development Bank had sanctioned Rs.35 crore to the district for providing means of livelihood to the affected people. This was meant to ensure their speedy economic recovery. Aid to SHGs Moreover, Rs.41.50 lakh had been given away as revolving funds to Self-Help Groups set up by the coastal community. Besides this, they were being trained to start their own businesses. The Government had sanctioned Rs.14.41 crore for dredging the mouth of the Cuddalore Port to facilitate movement of fishing vessels from inland areas into the deep sea. A hook-shaped structure will be constructed at the confluence of the Vellar and the Bay of Bengal near Parangipettai for the safety of fishing boats. The Institute of Hydrogeology and Hydrology will provide the technical know-how for this. A protective wall, technically called a Rubble Mounted Seawall (RMS), has been proposed along the seacoast from Thazhanguda to Thevanampattinam at a cost of Rs.3 crore. There was also a proposal to deepen the coastline at Killai, Mr. Bedi added.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/29/stories/2006062904470300.htm