Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the port city on Tuesday to witness the devastation caused by Cyclone Hudhud and announced a Rs. 1,000-crore interim assistance for all areas affected by the very severe storm in Andhra Pradesh. He announced a Rs. 2-lakh ex gratia each to the families of people killed in cyclone-related incidents and Rs. 50,000 each to those injured.
‘Centre, State were in perfect synergy’
Mr. Modi said the Centre and the State had coordinated perfectly to minimise damage during the cyclone. But no one could stop a natural calamity.
“We have selected Visakhapatnam to be developed as a smart city. I also heard that it is a beautiful city. It is unfortunate that it suffered such a heavy damage. But we will render all help,” Mr. Modi said after reviewing the situation with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at the Collectorate here.
Union Ministers M. Venkaiah Naidu and P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju were present at the review.
Mr. Modi and his team reached here by a special aircraft after 1 p.m. and were received by Mr. Naidu and others at the old terminal. The Prime Minister visited the new terminal and saw the damage the cyclone had caused. From there, he drove to the Collectorate in the city accompanied by Mr. Naidu. The review meeting lasted about half an hour. Later, he left for New Delhi. Mr. Naidu said the Navy suffered a loss of Rs. 2,000 crore.
