Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who visited the flood-affected areas of Kodagu on Friday, said a technical team of the Border Roads Organisation would assist the State government in restoring roads in the district.
Ms. Sitharaman also promised ₹7 crore under CSR fund from defence PSUs in the State besides ₹1 crore from the MPLAD fund. The Minister, who arrived in Mysuru on Thursday evening, flew to Harangi in a chopper on Friday from where she visited Madapura to apprise herself of the damage caused by floods and landslips.
After visiting a few flood-hit areas, Ms. Sitharaman interacted with people living in a relief camp at Madikeri. She also assured the displaced people all possible help from the government in their rehabilitation.
With regard to loss to coffee and pepper plantations in the district, the Minister said a special team from the Centre would assess the damage caused by the floods and submit a report, after which a special package would be announced by the government.
Noting the condition of the roads after they were obliterated by landslips, Ms. Sitharaman said she would apprise Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari about it and seek assistance to ensure connectivity to remote hinterlands.
District in-charge Minister S.R. Mahesh sought Central assistance to help people of Kodagu tide over the situation while K.G. Bopaiah, Virajpet MLA, sought ₹10,000 crore towards rehabilitation.
