Councillors demand government aid for seawall, breakwater in Chellanam

KOCHI: Minister of State of Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju visited various relief camps that were set up following the incessant rains that practically submerged the city for over a week. He said a central committee consisting of officers from various departments (Inter ministerial committee) will come to the state and do a detailed study before allocating the `831 crore demanded by the state from the Centre as monetary aid.

He spoke with the councillors and a group of people from Chellanam. The councillors requested the minister to provide Central government aid in building a sea wall and a break water in the 17.5 km long sea shore.He also said grave destruction has happened in the state this monsoon. 

This, he said, was clear when he visited the affected areas in Ernakulam, Kottayam and Alappuzha districts. He also witnessed the destruction in Kuttanad area and visited the relief camps to assess the situation there. “I have also given specific instructions to the respective district collectors. The Central government had allocated Rs 203 crore as disaster relief. An additional Rs 80 crore was also allocated. More funds will be allocated only after the report is submitted by the committee,” Rijiju said.