Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to discuss ways to strengthen the state’s disaster management system.
During the meeting, Pujari highlighted Odisha’s vulnerability to natural disasters like cyclones and floods due to its long coastline and sought Shah’s support for five key projects. Pujari has sought technical and financial support from the Centre for the execution of these projects.
The state has proposed the construction of 500 multipurpose shelters at an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore to enhance community-level disaster preparedness and response. These shelters will serve as safe havens for people during natural disasters like cyclones and floods, providing a secure place for them to take refuge.
To improve the state’s early warning systems, the government plans to extend and upgrade the Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) across Odisha at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore. This will enable timely dissemination of critical information to people in disaster-prone areas, helping them prepare and respond effectively.
The development of disaster-resilient energy infrastructure is another key focus area. The government aims to build infrastructure at an estimated cost of Rs 8, 363 crore that can withstand natural disasters, ensuring uninterrupted power supply and minimizing damage to transmission and distribution systems.
To protect the state’s coastal communities and ecosystems, the government proposes measures to prevent coastal erosion. This will not only safeguard livelihoods but also build community resilience in coastal areas, enabling them to better cope with the impacts of natural disasters.
Besides, Pujari has also sought support to the state for the execution of appointment of national-level organizations by the government of India for scientific survey to identify strategic areas, cost benefit analysis and providing grants either through ADB or any other government scheme.
