Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sought Rs 15,000 crore Central government funds for interim relief work in the districts affected by severe cyclonic storm Gaja.
Meeting Modi at his residence this morning, the Chief Minister stressed on the need to release Rs 1,500 crore for immediate restoration work. He spoke to mediapersons after the meeting with Modi.
Requesting the Prime Minister to send a Central team to see for itself the devastation wrought by the storm, Palaniswami, said 12 districts have been affected by the cyclone that also took the life of 63 people. Modi reportedly assured that a Central team would be sent soon to take stock of the damage.
He told the media that 2,625 boats had been completely damaged and 1,419 boats, partially.
When he was asked why he took the helicopter to survey the cyclone-affected areas, the Chief Minister said he took to the air to get a better view of the devastation. Moreover, many roads in the districts had taken a beating and it was not a viable option to go by road to see the areas.