CUDDALORE:
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has sanctioned a sum of Rs.232 crore for taking up permanent flood control measures in Cuddalore district, according to Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam.
The Minister was speaking at a function at Lalpet near here for distribution of over 5,600 free colour television sets on Sunday. Since Cuddalore was located in a highly vulnerable area, it was facing the problem of recurring floods. The funds earmarked for flood management would be utilised for strengthening the river banks and tank bunds, and deepening of the water sources. Of this, an amount of Rs.68.41 crore had been set aside for desilting the irrigation canals and reinforcing the bunds.
The Minister further said that during rainy season the banks of the Kollidam used to breach at many places, inundating the housing colonies and farm lands, thereby causing huge losses. Therefore, to enable the river to carry the excess flow its banks would be strengthened at a cost of Rs.108 crore. He hoped that after the completion of all these works permanent flood control measures would be in place in the district.
Mr. Panneerselvam said that in the past four years the district had benefited a great deal from various welfare schemes. For instance, 5,831 persons were given financial assistance to the tune of Rs.39.83 crore for child birth, 5,893 beneficiaries were given life-saving treatment worth Rs.17.65 crore and 26,119 families were brought under the purview of the Kalaignar Housing Scheme. The Minister noted that in the Annamalai Nagar Town Panchayat 115 works were completed at a cost of Rs.2.98 crore and in the Lalpet Town Panchayat seven works were executed at a cost of Rs.2.58 crore. In Lalpet, road works would be taken up soon at a cost of Rs.62.30 lakh.
Free colour television sets were given away to 5,12,572 families in 682 panchayats and 12 town panchayats in the district, the Minister added. District Collector P. Seetharaman said that the flood control measures would include strengthening of the banks of the Penniyar from Kandrakottai to Melpattamapakkam and that of the Gedilam at Arasur.
Anaikkarai bridge
Earlier, the Minister inspected the renovation works on the Anaikkarai bridge being carried out at a cost of Rs.6.21 crore. He told the media that the bridge would be thrown open to traffic on March 1, 2011. Since the 176-year-old bridge had become weakened at certain points the repair works had become necessary. Seventy sluices were being concretised and their shutters being repaired, the Minister added.
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