Naidu adopts Hudhud affected village in Andhra Pradesh

Naidu adopts Hudhud affected village in Andhra PradeshNEW DELHI: Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu has adopted Chepala Uppada village of Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam district for rehabilitation and development in the aftermath of recent cyclone Hudhud that ravaged north coastal districts of the state.

This fishermen village and the surrounding hamlets were severely affected by the cyclone.

Naidu has decided to donate his one month salary besides a contribution of Rs 25 lakhs from MPLADS funds for rebuilding of Chepala Uppada village and adjoining hamlets.

Resources will also be mobilized from other sources like Trusts and NGOs in this regard, according to a close aide of Naidu.

Nellore based Swarna Bharati Trust offered Rs 10 lakhs for rehabilitation of this village.

Over the last two days, Naidu has extensively toured the cyclone-affected areas of north coastal Andhra Pradesh for an assessment of the ongoing rehabilitation efforts.

He convened a meeting of representatives of over 20 central government departments and agencies at Visakhapatnam and reviewed the measures being taken for restoration of different kinds of services to the public.

Naidu also reviewed the progress on the rehabilitation front with Collectors of Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram and Srikakulam districts.

He also discussed the situation with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.

Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) management handed over a cheque of Rs five crore to Naidu for rehabilitation of Hudhud affected areas.

Four grand children of Naidu also contributed Rs 5,000 each to AP Chief Ministers’ Relief Fund.

During his discussions with AP Chief Minister, the union minister suggested that a separate entity may be created for integrated development of Visakhapatnam with representation from the Centre for promoting ‘Smart City’ features.

Naidu spoke to Finance Minister Arun Jaitely over phone and urged him to direct the concerned authority for speedy settlement of insurance claims and rescheduling of bank loans of all the cyclone-affected people and Jaitely assured him that needful would be done. Expressing concern over soil erosion on beaches of Visakhapatnam, Naidu said, this issue will be taken up with the Environment Ministry to provide long term measures.

He directed the municipal authority to take necessary awareness generation measures for preventing littering of beaches as part of Swachh Bharat Mission and also participated in the cleaning of beaches along with local people.–PTI