M A I N   N E W S

Jaya seeks funds for wall along coastline
Arup Chanda
Tribune News Service

Chennai, January 7
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here today that the tsunami disaster should be converted into an opportunity to rebuild the coastal economies in the affected areas.

This was his first visit to the Tamil Nadu capital after December 26 when the tsunami struck, killing thousands of people wracking havoc in the coastal districts of the state.

Dr Manmohan Singh told Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa: “We must convert this disaster into an opportunity to rebuild and modernise the fishing and coastal economies in the affected areas.” They held a meeting for one hour and discussed relief packages for the state.

He assured Ms Jayalalithaa of all help from the Centre regarding rehabilitation measures for the tsunami victims the majority of whom were fishermen. Dr Manmohan Singh told Ms Jayalalithaa: “I am here to share your grief over the tsunami tragedy.”

Briefing newsmen PMO spokesman Sanjaya Baru said the Prime Minister welcomed the induction of new technology for better boats and safer housing along the coastline and announced that a tsunami early warning system would be put in place.

Dr Manmohan Singh said the immediate priorities were to provide temporary housing, medicines and help the victims in beginning their livelihood but the long-term measures included permanent housing and modern harbour and jetties.

The Prime Minister’s aircraft landed here around 3.30 pm and after being received at the airport by Ms Jayalalithaa, he drove to Raj Bhavan. He later called on DMK President M. Karunanidhi at his residence and enquired about his health.

Accompanied by the Union Minister for Telecommunications Mr Dayanidhi Maran, Dr Manmohan Singh later told reporters: “I came here to share the grief and discuss the damage done in Tamil Nadu.

In addition to the Rs 4800 crore asked from the Centre for relief measures for the tsunami victims, Ms Jayalalithaa today asked for an additional Rs 5000 crore to build a wall to protect the state’s coastline from the sea’s fury.

After an hour-long meeting with the Prime Minister, Ms Jayalalithaa told reporters that she had made a special request to Dr Manmohan Singh for assistance to construct a wall along the 1076-km coastline from the state capital to Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India.

Ms Jayalalithaa said the Prime Minister indicated that the Centre would consider seeking a loan from the World Bank or the Asian Development Bank for the purpose.

She said the assistance for the proposed wall would be in addition to the Rs 4,800 crore sought by the state government to cope with the massive damage caused by tsunami.