District Collector C. Samayamoorthy conducted a comprehensive discussion with the heads of 13 village panchayats around Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) at the Collectorate on Friday regarding implementation of development schemes in these rural local bodies under the Rs. 500 crore special package.
After Chief Minister Jayalalithaa unveiled a slew of development projects for the village panchayats around KKNPP site, the panchayat presidents submitted their wish-list based on their requirements.
Subsequently, it was decided to construct gryones in the coastal hamlets which experience severe sea erosion and establishment of desalination plants, cold storages, primary health centres, permanent houses, roads and bridges, solar lamps etc.
When the first consultative meeting was held a few months ago in this connection, it was decided to construct groynes at Uvari, Kooththenkuzhi, Idinthakarai and Perumanal on an outlay of Rs. 50 crore and desalination plants to supply drinking water to the coastal villages at the cost of Rs. 70 crore.
Cold storages
Besides expanding the 30-bedded hospital at Kudankulam at the cost of Rs. 10 crore, primary health centres will be created at Uvari and Chettikulam, each on an outlay of Rs. 1 crore. Cold storages for preserving the marine products will be established at five coastal villages.
Above all, 10,000 permanent houses will be constructed in three phases in these village panchayats. As Rs. 16.60 crore was allotted for laying roads and constructing bridges in these local bodies, the work has already been started. During the meeting held on Friday, Mr. Samayamoorthy, who sought village panchayat heads’ cooperation in implementing the development schemes, discussed the issue of commencing the work on constructing groynes and the desalination plants. Besides the heads of 13 village panchayats, chairman of Radhapuram union V.S.R. Jagadeesh, chairman of Valliyoor union Azhaganantham, district panchayat chairmamn P. Narayana Perumal participated in the meeting.
