‘Multi-purpose Cyclone Relief Centres’ should be commissioned immediately by the State Government considering the danger posed by the frequent cyclones

The Maharashtra Government had decided to set up ‘Multi-purpose Cyclone Shelters’ in the year 2019-20 at 11 places in the four Districts of Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Palghar to protect the citizens from the threat of recurrent cyclones. Despite a provision of Rs. 42,39,00,000, these shelters were not set up within the stipulated time-frame of 18 months. Consequently, the latest cyclone – ‘Tauktae’ has caused severe damage to the Konkan coast. Numerous houses, orchards and farms were severely damaged. These shelters would have safeguarded the residents of Konkan Region against the havoc caused by cyclones ‘Amphan’, ‘Nisarga’ and ‘Tauktae’ which hit the region one after the other. State Organiser of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti for Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh Mr. Sunil Ghanwat made an appeal to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray during an initiative organised by ‘Surajya Abhiyan’ to commission the ‘Multi-purpose Cyclone Relief Centres’ immediately considering the danger posed by the frequent cyclones. The Chief Minister has accordingly directed the concerned department for further action.

Principal Secretaries of State Revenue and Forest Departments, along with the Guardian Ministers of Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Palghar districts Aditi Tatkare, Anil Parab, Dr. Uday Samant, and Dadaji Bhuse respectively have also been given arepresentation in this regard. It states that due to ‘Global Warming’ and formation of low-pressure belts on a regular basis, the frequency of cyclones in the Arabian Sea has amplified further. Even the Indian Meteorological Department has warned the citizens of more such hurricanes in the near future.

The Government had decided to set up ‘Multi-purpose Cyclone Shelters’ at Kalethar, Aachara, Jamsande, Vijaydurg, Saitawade, Harne, Edwan, Dighi, Dabhol, Borli and Usrani in four Districts in 2019-20. The Government must act swiftly and commission these relief centres with a stringent timeline, demanded Mr. Ghanwat in his representation. The manner in which the fishermen are warned of such cyclones, even the farmers, traders and fruit cultivators should be cautioned as well. This (warning) would minimise the losses as harvesting can be planned beforehand. He further suggested that the Government must also advise the farmers on the crops to cultivate, the precautionary measures that should be taken to minimise the potential loss and the kind of construction to be undertaken to safeguard them and their produce against such natural calamities. The Government should also take a leaf from the precautionary measures taken in West Bengal and Odisha where thousands of the residents of the coastal areas were migrated and the potential loss of life was avoided. The representation concludes by appealing the State Government to facilitate such safeguards to minimise the loss of life and property.

Yours Truly,