Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has released Rs 482.42 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for the restoration and reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by Cyclone ‘Arnab’ and subsequent heavy rainfall and floods in six districts of the state, officials said on Wednesday.
The funds have been sanctioned to the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department to expedite repair and restoration work in the affected districts.
Ganjam, which suffered the maximum damage, has been allocated the highest amount of Rs 306.54 crore. Gajapati will receive Rs 109.97 crore, followed by Kandhamala with Rs 42.57 crore, Nuapada with Rs 15.08 crore and Nabarangpur with Rs 7.78 crore. Rayagada district has been sanctioned Rs 97.60 lakh.
The cyclone and subsequent floods caused extensive damage to public infrastructure across the six districts, affecting essential services and connectivity in several areas.
According to the allocation, the funds will be utilised for the repair and reconstruction of damaged school buildings, community halls, Panchayat offices, Anganwadi centres, Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti roads, bridges, culverts, health sub-centres, drinking water projects and tube wells, among other infrastructure.
The restoration work is aimed at ensuring the early revival of essential public services, particularly drinking water supply and road connectivity, in the affected areas.
The administration expects that the financial assistance will facilitate the speedy reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and help restore normalcy in the lives of people affected by the cyclone and floods.
