Infra projects in cyclone-hit areas to be expedited

People residing along the seacoast in the Krishna district can heave a sigh of relief. The State government has decided to expedite various infrastructure projects for effectively carrying out relief and rescue operations in low lying areas during adverse climatic conditions like cyclones.

The Roads and Buildings (R&B) department is constructing bridges, roads and drains, among others, with an estimated Rs.100 crore assistance provided by the World Bank as part of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP).

The department has taken up construction of three bridges between Ullipallem and Bhavanipuram across Campbell canal, Machillipatnam and Kamavaricheru Road across Gunderu drain, and Tallapalem and Narayanapuram Road across Salt Creek at an estimated cost of about Rs. 63 crore, Rs. 21 crore and Rs. 9.5 crore respectively.

This apart, road works between Bhavadevarapally and Sangameswara Road worth over Rs.11 crore were also planned, an official of R&B department said. Tenders have already been invited for taking up works on the three bridges while administrative sanction was accorded to Bhavadevarapally and Sangameswara Road works. Once completed, these bridges would enable easier movement of the people stranded in low lying areas during adverse climatic conditions.

Tough times

Rescue teams are also facing hardship in shifting relief material to cyclone-hit areas. Taking all these aspects into consideration, the government has decided to improve infrastructure facilities along the coastline under NCRMP.

Works of Ullipallem and Bhavanipuram bridge and Tallapalem and Narayanapuram Road would be taken up with funds sanctioned under phase-I, while that of Machillipatnam and Kamavaricheru bridge and Bhavadevarapally and Sangameswara Road under phase-II, officials said. Panchayat Raj and Irrigation departments are also laying approach roads and constructing drains.