Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu adopts Hudhud cyclone ravaged village of Andhra Pradesh for rehabilitation

Suggests a special body for developing Visakhapatnam as Smart City Shri Naidu reviews rehabilitation measures; seeks rescheduling of bank loans Visakhapatnam Steel Plants contributes Rs.5.00 cr for rehabilitation

Urban Development Minister Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu has adopted ‘ChepalaUppada’ village of Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh for rehabilitation and development in the aftermath of recent cyclone ‘Hudhud’ that ravaged north coastal districts of the state. This fishermen village and the surrounding hamlets were severely affected by the cyclone. Shri Naidu has decided to donate his one month salary besides a contribution of Rs.25.00 lakhs from MPLADS funds for rebuilding of ‘ChepalaUppada’ village and adjoining hamlets. Resources will also be mobilized from other sources like Trusts and NGOs in this regard. Nellore based ‘SwarnaBharati Trust’ offered Rs.10.00 lakhs for rehabilitation of this village. Over the last two days, Shri Venkaiah Naidu has extensively toured the cyclone affected areas of north coastal Andhra Pradesh for an assessment of the ongoing rehabilitation efforts. He convened a meeting of representatives of over 20 central government departments and agencies at Visakhapatnam and reviewed the measures being taken for restoration of different kinds of services to the public. He also reviewed the progress on the rehabilitation front with Collectors of Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram and Srikakulam districts. Shri Naidu also discussed the situation with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shri N.Chandrababu Naidu. Visakhapatnam Steel Plant(VSP) management handed over a Cheque of Rs.5.00 cr to Shri Venkaiah Naidu for rehabilitation of Hudhud affected areas. During his discussions with AP Chief Minister, Shri Venkaiah Naidu suggested that a separate entity may be created for integrated development of Visakhapatnam with representation from the central government for promoting ‘Smart City’ features. Shri Venkaiah Naidu spoke to Finance Minister Shri ArunJaitely over phone and urged him to direct the concerned for speedy settlement of insurance claims and rescheduling of bank loans of all the cyclone affected. Shri Jaitely assured Shri Naidu that needful would be done. Expressing concern over soil erosion of beaches of Visakhapatnam, Shri Venkaiah Naidu said, this issue will be taken up with the union environment ministry for taking long term measures. He directed the municipal authority to take necessary awareness generation measures for preventing littering of beaches as part of ‘Swachh Bharat Mission.’ He also participated in the cleaning of beaches along with local people. Courtesy: pib.nic.in