Odisha seeks ₹9,500 crore from Centre for disaster preparedness projects

Bhubaneswar, Aug 21: The Odisha government has requested ₹9,500 crore in central funding for constructing approximately 800 cyclone and flood shelters, as well as for developing disaster-resilient power infrastructure across the state, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Thursday.

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The minister raised this demand during a recent meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.

Addressing the media in Bhubaneswar, Pujari noted that Odisha currently has around 1,000 cyclone shelters in various vulnerable areas. 

These existing shelters have been recently repaired to ensure functionality. However, he emphasized the need for additional infrastructure to strengthen the state's preparedness for future disasters.

"To enhance disaster readiness, we have sought ₹2,000 crore from the Centre for constructing 800 new cyclone shelters," he said. These new shelters are planned to be built on school premises, allowing them to be used by students year-round and repurposed during emergencies.

Pujari also highlighted the urgent need for resilient power systems in cyclone- and flood-prone areas. He proposed the underground cabling of power lines to minimize damage during natural calamities and ensure continuous power supply to affected communities.

"Power infrastructure is typically the hardest hit during disasters. By laying underground distribution lines in coastal regions, we can significantly reduce damage and maintain essential services," he added. The estimated cost of this power infrastructure project is around ₹7,500 crore.