Kozhikode: The construction works of the cyclone shelters funded by the Centre through the World Bank and state government have begun in the state as a solution to rehabilitation of the people in the coastal area. Centre will be bearing 75 per cent of the cost for the construction and maintenance of the shelters under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP).

These cyclone shelters are the first ones to come up across the country. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal would also get similar shelters under the same project, said NCRMP state project officer B Abdul Nasser. The foundation work for the shelter at Mararikkulam in Alappuzha district has already started.

In Kasaragod, the cyclone shelters are coming up at Pullur, Koipady and Kudlu. In Kannur, two such shelters are planned at Kathirur and in Kannur town. In Kozhikode district, the cyclone shelter is planned in the Kasaba limit in the city. Two shelters, in Perumbadappu and Paravanna are coming up in Malappuram district. In Thrissur district, Kadappuram and Azheekode are the locations for the shelters. In Ernakulam, shelters will come up at Moothakunnam and Pallippuram. Mararikkulam, Purakkad, Karthikappally and Cherthala are the locations for the shelters in Alappuzha. Karunagappally in Kollam district will also get a cyclone shelter. All the 17 shelters will be ready by March, 2020.

“The proposals and discussions for the project started way back in 2015, in light of the cyclones and disasters in the coastal belt. Sites were identified in 2016. Each shelter with an area of 10,000 square feet and in three storeys, would cost nearly Rs 5 crore. In case of such calamities, the people of the area can be shifted to these shelters immediately. The same building can be converted into a multi-purpose hall or training centre,” said Abdul Nasser.

Local authorities would ensure that the buildings are well-maintained and not misused. Though 28 such shelters were planned in the beginning, it was later reduced to 17 due to non-availability of land and other infrastructure. The management committee would be provided with Rs 5 lakh in the beginning itself, said the project officer.

Tenders have been invited in Kannur and Kasargod and the officials are hoping to start the works soon in these two districts. “All the shelters are within 5km from the coastal area, so that transportation would not be a problem for the affected people. The foundation and other construction have to be very strong to overcome the natural disasters,” Abdul Nasser added.