Bhubaneswar, 20 August (H.S.) Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister, Suresh Pujari met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to seek the Centre’s support for strengthening the state’s disaster management capabilities. During the meeting, Pujari highlighted Odisha’s high vulnerability to natural disasters such as cyclones and floods due to its extensive coastline and presented a detailed proposal for five key initiatives. He sought both technical and financial assistance from the Centre for the effective execution of these projects.
One of the major proposals includes the construction of 500 multipurpose cyclone and flood shelters at an estimated cost of ₹2,000 crore. These shelters are intended to serve as safe havens for communities during natural calamities, providing critical protection and emergency relief. To further enhance disaster preparedness, the state government also plans to upgrade and expand the Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) across Odisha at an estimated cost of ₹200 crore. The improved system will ensure timely communication of alerts and essential information to people living in disaster-prone areas, enabling quicker and more effective responses.
Another crucial area of focus is the development of disaster-resilient energy infrastructure. The state aims to invest approximately ₹8,363 crore to build power infrastructure capable of withstanding severe weather events, thereby minimizing disruption to electricity supply and reducing damage to transmission and distribution networks. In addition to infrastructure development, Odisha is also prioritizing coastal protection. The government has proposed a series of measures to combat coastal erosion, which will help safeguard livelihoods, protect ecosystems, and enhance the resilience of coastal communities against future disasters.
Furthermore, Minister Pujari requested the Centre’s support in engaging national-level agencies for conducting scientific surveys, identifying strategic intervention areas, and performing cost-benefit analyses. He also sought funding assistance through international sources such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or relevant central government schemes. Pujari emphasized that with robust support from the Centre, Odisha can take significant strides towards becoming a disaster-resilient state equipped to protect its people, infrastructure, and environment from the growing threats of climate-induced disasters.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
