Maharashtra: Rs 3,200 crore for Konkan disaster mitigation

MUMBAI: The state cabinet on Wednesday cleared a Rs 3,200-crore Konkan disaster management programme under which several mitigation measures will be taken to tackle disasters in the region.
In the last two years, the three Konkan districts – Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg – have been hit by two cyclones, a deluge leading to landslides and other disasters.As part of this programme, a comprehensive plan will be prepared for capacity building in these districts. An early warning system and better preparedness to deal with natural disasters will be a part of the programme.
Of the Rs 3,200 crore, Rs 2,000 crore will be spent from the state disaster mitigation fund and the remaining Rs 1,200 crore will be given as part of the state budget in the next four years. There is also a plan to shift utilities underground so that they are not damaged, and also construct resilient infrastructure in the region.
“The region is bearing the brunt of natural disasters quite often, and this programme will help handle them better. The idea is to reduce damage, improve response time and avoid loss of lives and damage to critical infrastructure,” said an official.