'Chennai's flood management plan awaits Centre's support'

Chennai, March 15 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Thursday said that a comprehensive flood management plan drawn up for north and south Chennai has been submitted to the Central government for support.

Presenting the state Budget for 2018-19 in the Assembly, Panneerselvam said: "As a permanent remedy to... floods in Chennai and its suburban areas, a comprehensive flood management plan for north and south Chennai has been prepared at an estimated cost of Rs 2,055.67 crore and Rs 1,243.15 crore respectively and submitted to the central government for support."

He said Rs 786 crore had been provided for the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for 2018-2019.

Tamil Nadu capital Chennai has witnessed floods in recent times due to heavy rain.

Panneerselvam, who holds the finance portfolio, said the state government is preparing a Detailed Project Report to set up an integrated fishing harbour and fish processing park at Thengappattinam in Kanyakumari district and it will seek central support for the same.