COIMBATORE: Terming the accusations of DMK working president MK Stalin as false, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami assured that the State government, with help from the Centre, was taking serious steps to rescue all stranded fishermen.
“Both revenue and fisheries department staff have visited as many as 44 villages in the rain-affected areas and taken a survey of the missing fishermen. Based on the State government requests, the Central government has deployed navy, coast guard and air force to assist the rescue operation. Currently, four planes, five helicopters and fifteen ships have been deployed.
Hence, the public need not panic as all the missing fishermen would be traced soon. To monitor the rescue operation, four IAS officers, deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam and the four State ministers have been camping in the rain-affected areas,” he said, while speaking at the MGR centenary celebration at VOC grounds on Sunday evening.
“Seven districts have been affected due to cyclone, of which Kanyakumar is the worst hit. As many as 3,750 electric poles have fallen. Around 2,000 workers, along with the engineers, have been sent for repair works. Steps have been taken to ensure that the electricity will be restored within a couple days,” he assured.
Speaking about the upcoming election, he was confident that the AIADMK would win the RK Nagar bypoll as the late Jayalalithaa’s soul was with them. “This was proved in the Two Leaves symbol case. We will dedicate the bypoll victory to Amma. The party will also win other elections in the coming years,” he added.
Taking a dig at the opposition, he noted that he had only spent money on the welfare of the people, unlike the opposition party, which spent around `262 crore on the World Classical Tamil Conference during its tenure. “The opposition party has been spreading fake information about the party,” he said, explaining that death of the NRI software engineer in the city was not because of the cut-outs but a lorry on the wrong side of the road.
What’s in it for kovai
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami laid foundation stone for 39 new works worth L1,328.95 crore during the MGR birth centenary celebration. He also inaugurated 37 new buildings constructed at the cost of L691.51 crore.
During the centenary meeting, he also distributed L118.83 crore worth welfare schemes to as many as 36,650 beneficiaries.
Major announcements
Additional water will be tapped from Pillur dam for the people residing in areas recently added to the city limit, at a cost of L750 crore.
Vegetable market functioning on Mettupalayam road will be extended further under the Smart City project.
Study is in progress to setup overbridge or underpass near Avila convent on NSR road and Thadagam road junction.
VOC Zoo will be renovated as per international standards at the cost of L20 crore.
TWAD would finalise Detailed Project Report (DPR) for carrying out Under Ground Drainage (UGD) works at added areas.
Check dam will be constructed at Koraiyur river in Pollachi Thaluk at a cost of L1.59 crore.
Several departments at CMCH would be upgraded at the cost of L8.41 crore.
Flyover between Ukkadam and Athupalam would be taken at a cost of L121.82 crore.
Escalator facility would be setup near Coimbatore Railway station at the cost
of L8.09 crore.
Expert committee would be formed to implement Nallaru and Anamalaiyar scheme.