Date:15/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/15/stories/2008071553330300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Minister allays fears of fishermen

Staff Reporter

Lays foundation stone for construction of ‘geo-tube sea wall’

The project is meant for prevention of coastal erosion
SEZ will spur industrial growth: Pallam Raju

Kakinada: Union Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju has said that he will request the Central and State governments to ensure that the petroleum, chemical and petrochemical investment region (PCPIR), proposed to be developed between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam, did not cause the displacement of fishermen community whose livelihood is entirely dependent on the sea.

Similarly, steps will be taken to mitigate the impact of Kakinada Special Economic Zone (KSEZ) on local people and compensate the affected people wherever displacement is inevitable.

Job opportunities

Addressing a public meeting at Uppada village after laying the foundation stone for construction of a ‘geo-tube sea wall’ meant for prevention of coastal erosion at Uppada, Subbampeta and Ameenabad villages in U. Kotthapalli mandal on Monday, Mr. Pallam Raju said the PCPIR would bring in huge investments and create employment opportunities for the local people and there need not be any apprehensions about it. Likewise, the KSEZ would spur industrial growth of the region, he asserted and promised to get the plans implemented in such a way that the coastal villages were not taken over by the industries.

With regard to the persistent menace of coastal erosion, Mr. Pallam Raju said the geo-tube wall project would be completed in six months and it was the best way of stopping the tidal waves from devouring villages where a huge number of fishermen’s families were living under the constant threat of being swept away by the sea.

The geo-tube technology was endorsed by the National Coastal Protection and Development Advisory Committee in consultation with the Pune-based Central Water and Power Research Station and Department of Ocean Engineering of Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai. The project was awarded to M/s Garware Wall Ropes Limited.

Mr. Pallam Raju said the Central government was firmly committed to doing whatever it felt was right, like the India- US civilian nuclear deal which was more important than the government’s survival. This showed the government’s concern for the people’s well-being.

Sampara MLA A. Bullabbai Reddy, MLC N. Sesha Reddy, Kakinada SP Y. Nagi Reddy, Kakinada RDO Kishore Kumar and others were present.