Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan Calls for Permanent Solutions to Coastal Fishermen’s Problems

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has directed officials to develop permanent solutions to the problems faced by coastal fishermen, stressing that cyclone relief should go beyond temporary assistance and ensure long-term protection for vulnerable communities. He also asked officials to examine the feasibility of providing insurance coverage for fishing boats and prepare suitable proposals.

During a virtual meeting with Kakinada district officials and coastal village representatives on Friday, Pawan Kalyan reviewed the impact of Cyclone Arnab, the damage caused and relief measures undertaken. He announced that he would visit fishermen's villages after Diwali to understand their problems firsthand.

The Deputy Chief Minister directed officials to expedite the design and Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a protective wall along the Uppada coastline. He also called for early approval to extend the wall up to Konapapapeta and ordered the immediate restoration of the cyclone-damaged Uppada-Kakinada beach road.

Appreciating the district administration, he said more than 10,000 people from 92 coastal habitations had been evacuated and accommodated in 102 rehabilitation centres. He praised officials for clearing seawater from Suradapeta, Mayapatnam, Kothapatnam and Nayakar Colony within 24 hours and asked them to continue relief operations.

He also instructed officials to restore electricity completely in cyclone-hit areas of the Pithapuram constituency, including Bhogapuram, Narasingapuram, Chitrada SC Colony, Mallam and Viravada, where power poles had fallen and wires were damaged.

Pawan Kalyan directed officials to complete damage assessments covering houses, crops, fishing boats, nets and handlooms and submit reports promptly to ensure fair compensation for all affected families. He ordered the distribution of 25 kg of rice to families in inundated villages and 50 kg to fishermen and handloom families, along with dal, cooking oil, onions, potatoes and sugar.

He appreciated the police, revenue, municipal, electricity and health department personnel, as well as 45 NDRF and SDRF teams, for preventing casualties and carrying out rescue operations. Staff from Panchayat Raj, Rural Development and Rural Water Supply departments were also commended for restoring essential services.

Kakinada Rural MLA Pantham Nanaji, Collector Harendhira Prasad, SP Bindu Madhav, Rural Development Commissioner Krishna Teja and APEPDCL CMD Prithvi Teja attended the meeting.