CM demands naval station with helipad facility in Kumari

The Chief Minister sought the naval station with helipad facility as the district is more vulnerable to natural calamities and also in the interest of fishermen to ensure their safety.

Thanking the Prime Minister for having brought development projects to tune of several crores to the state, he said fishing harbours were constructed at Colachel at a cost of Rs 96.72 crore and in Chinna Muttom at Rs 82 crore. Besides, fishing harbour construction works were nearing completion at Thangapattinam at an estimated cost of Rs 97.4 crore. Further, the Chief Minister said administrative sanctions were accorded to strengthen anti-erosion wall at Chinnathurai in Vilavancode taluk at Rs 1.95 crore and construction of groynes at Rs 14.68 crore in Poondurai in the same taluk.

Further, he said funds were set aside for buying 26 deep sea fishing vessels at 50 per cent government subsidy to benefit the Kanniyakumari fishermen. Moreover, he said in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi, 204 fishermen were lost and several boats suffered damages. Compensation of Rs 20 lakh to each of the missing fisherman family and Rs 7.8 crore to boats damaged, were provided he said. Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam thanked the Prime Minister for his courageous efforts taken to counteract terrorism in a befitting manner and also for bringing the prestigious AIIMS Hospital to Madurai.