Government approves cyclone risk mitigation projects of Rs 4,693 crore

NEW DELHI: Two cyclone risk mitigation projects to the tune of Rs 4,693 crore was today approved by the government to address the vulnerability of coastal communities.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its approval to the revised cost estimates for Phase-I of the centrally-sponsored scheme of National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project for Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

The original cost has been enhanced by Rs 835 crore to Rs 2331.71 crore from Rs 1496.71 crore.

"This will address the vulnerability of coastal communities to cyclone. This section of the population is generally poor and from the weaker sections of society," an official statement said.

The central government will provide financial assistance equivalent to Rs 1843.94 crore through a World Bank loan. The remaining amount of Rs 487.77 crore will be contributed by the governments of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

The Union Cabinet also gave its approval for the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) Phase-II. The second phase will be implemented in Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and West Bengal with World Bank Assistance at a total cost Rs 2361.35 crore to address the vulnerability of the coastal community to cyclone.

For NCRMP Phase-II, the central government will provide financial assistance equivalent to Rs 1881.20 crore through a World Bank loan. The remaining amount of Rs 480.15 crore will be provided by governments of Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and West Bengal.

The broad objectives of the projects are to provide cyclone forecasting, tracking and warning systems, cyclone risk mitigation and capacity-building in multi-hazard risk management.

Major infrastructure which will be constructed under the project includes multipurpose cyclone shelters, access roads, saline embankments and underground cabling.

The investments proposed in the states would strengthen the infrastructure for protection of the coastal community and their evacuation, greater accessibility, improved warning dissemination and quicker response.

Approximately, 5,700km out of around 7,516km of India's coastline, its flat terrain and high population density are extremely vulnerable to cyclones and associated hazards such as storm surges, high winds and heavy rainfall.

About 40 per cent of total population in the maritime states lives within 100 km of the coastlines. Recurrent cyclones account for a large number of deaths, loss of livelihood opportunities, loss of public and private property, and severe damage to infrastructure.