The coastal districts of Tamil Nadu suffered massive destruction and damage to life and property on 26.12.2004 by the TSUNAMI. To assist the efforts taken by the Government of Tamil Nadu to mitigate the sufferings of people in the coastal areas in reconstruction of damaged roads and public infrastructure, restoration of livelihood and construction of houses for the people in the affected area, agreements for financial assistance (loan and grant) were signed with the following funding agencies.

Asian Development Bank for the Tsunami Emergency Assistance Project (TEAP)

World Bank for the Emergency Tsunami Reconstruction Project (ETRP)

Many Government departments including the Directorate of Town Panchayats is implementing the Tsunami Rehabilitation Projects of TEAP & ETRP, monitored by the Project Management Unit established in Revenue Administration Disaster Management and Mitigation Department. Restoration of Livelihood of the Tsunami affected poor, Rehabilitation of Tsunami damaged roads, Restoration of Water Supply & Sanitation, Rehabilitation/Upgrading of infrastructures and capacity building and implementation assistance are given to 19 Tsunami affected Town Panchayats in 5 coastal districts of Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam & Kanniyakumari which are bordering Bay of Bengal.

For Town Panchayats a sum of Rs.59.29 Crores was proposed for relief and rehabilitation works Under Tsunami Emergency Assistance Project with the assistance of Asian Development Bank as detailed below. It is proposed to implement the project in phases and the last phase is programmed to be completed within three years from the commencement of the project.

ACTIVITIES UNDER TSUNAMI EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROJECT (TEAP)

I. LIVELIHOOD :

3387 Self Help Groups with 60966 Members have been formed in the 19 Tsunami affected Town Panchayats in 5 coastal districts.

a) REVOLVING FUND

A sum of Rs.4.64 crores has been released to 1648 SHGs, out of the existing 3387SHGs as Revolving Fund with Rs.30,000/- as subsidy and Rs. 15,000/- as loan from bank.

b) BASIC ORIENTATION TRAINING

2027 out of 3387 Self Help Groups have been imparted Basic Orientation Training at a cost of Rs.42.52 lakhs.

c) SKILL TRAINING CUM DEMONSTRATION IMPARTED

Innovative Skill Training cum Demonstration has been given to youth belonging to Fishermen community for getting alternate opportunities. These trainings include the training cum Demonstration given on Mud Crab Farming, Sea Weed Cultivation, Cage Fish Farming at Edaikazhinadu, Fish Pickles and Seasonal Pickles, Mush room culture and Sanitary Napkin manufacture at Kottakuppam and Rabbit rearing, Turkey Rearing and Giriraja Bird rearing at Mamallapuram.

In 10 Town Panchayats in Kanniyakumari District, Skill Training on Sanitary Napkin Manufacturing, Jute Bags Manufacturing, Tiles Manufacturing, Bakery Products Manufacturing and Lace Netting at a cost of Rs.9.24 lakhs has been given.

Overall Skill Training has been given to 1157 SHG members belonging to 147 SHGs at a cost of Rs. 44.54 Lakhs.

d) INSTALLATION OF SOLAR FISH DRIER AND IMPARTING OF TRAINING

For installation of 3 Solar Fish Driers at the rate of 1 each at Parangipettai, Killai and Tharangambadi Town Panchayats, community Infrastructure at a cost of Rs.7.35 lakhs have been created to benefit 9 SHGs. This has facilitated the fisherwomen to make best use of the unsold fish using this facility. They can produce Dry Fish free from dust and sand and thus they can profitably sell the unsold fish in the form of Dry Fish.

ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO SELF HELP GROUPS

Economic Assistance of Rs.490.50 lakhs has been extended to 337 SHGs situated in the Coastal 19 Town Panchayats affected by Tsunami.

For taking up innovative cluster activities such as Mud Crab Fattening, Sea Weed Cultivation, Cage Fish Farming, an Economic Assistance of Rs.9.80 lakhs was extended to 4 SHGs at Edaikazhinadu in Kancheepuram District. At Killai Town Panchayat in Cuddalore District and Ganapathypuram Town Panchayat in Kanyakumari District, 6 & 1 Self Help Group respectively were given Economic Assistance of Rs.6.25 Lakhs and Rs.1.43 Lakhs for Mud Crab farming.

At Kanniyakumari District, 7 SHGs have been given Economic Assistance for taking up Shell craft, 16 SHGs for Copra making, one SHG for taking up Bakery products and 18 SHGs for making Bamboo, Banana fibre & Talipot fibre Craft products.

ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS/DISABLED

Rs.85.80 Lakhs has been extended as Economic Assistance to 855 Disabled and two Individuals for taking up various economic activities.

II. INFRASTRUCTURE FACILTIIES :

(ROADS & BUILDINGS)

It is intended to restore and rehabilitate Panchayat infrastructure that were severely affected due to Tsunami. The affected communities were deprived of their basic amenities namely shelter, sanitation and water supply. The Government of Tamilnadu is carrying out shelter programmes, reconstruction activities and overall rehabilitation measures in the affected areas and with the assistance from Asian Development Bank has decided to construct buildings which are essential for the Tsunami affected people.

Under reconstruction and restoration of roads, 128 Road works covering 181 kilometers at the cost of Rs.25.15 crores has been taken up out of which works valuing Rs.8.79 crores has been completed. Further additional 26 Road works at a cost of Rs.5.5365 crores have also been taken up diverting the funds earmarked for building works.

Under Building Component, it is proposed to carryout repairs to buildings and upgradation works to existing Panchayat Building at the cost of Rs.1.17 crores.

III. WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION :

The existing water supply infrastructure namely wells, transmission & distribution mains and underground/ground level reservoirs and overhead tanks were affected resulting in disruption/reduction in supply of safe drinking water in the Tsunami affected areas. It was proposed to repair, renovate and upgrade the existing water supply infrastructure for restoration of supply level.

Damages to Public Toilets and sanitary complex have deprived the affected communities mainly of fishermen and people living below poverty line who mainly depend on community facilities for bathing and toilet use for their basic sanitation. Repair, restoration and upgradation of these facilities are the important immediate requirement to meet the basic sanitation needs of the affected communities.

Under Water Supply and Sanitation Component it is proposed to take up the following reconstruction works:-

To carry out repairs and upgradation of works to Water Supply Infrastructure at the cost of Rs. 1.21 crores

Repairs to Public Toilets at a cost of Rs. 0.98 crores

Solid Waste Management works at a cost of Rs. 6.05 crores

EMERGENCY TSUNAMI RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT (ETRP)

Under Emergency Tsunami Reconstruction Project aided by World Bank it is proposed to provide all the Basic Amenities to the Housing sites, where the affected people are to be Rehabilitated at a cost of Rs.14.05 crores in 18 Town Panchayats. A total No. of 7121 houses in 57 locations in six districts of Kancheepuram, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Tuticorin and Kanyakumari Districts are being constructed and some of them are completed and occupied. It is proposed to provide necessary Link Roads, Internal Roads, Parks, Public Utility Buildings such as Community Centres, Anganwadi, Library, SHGs Building, Kitchen shed, Bus Shelter and Cremation Shed under this scheme. Tenders have been invited and evaluation is under progress.

LIVELIHOOD

COMMON INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDED

INSTALLATION OF SOLAR FISH DRIER

LIVELIHOOD

REVOLVING FUND SANCTIONED TO SELF HELP GROUPS

LIVELIHOOD

NUMBER OF SELF HELP GROUPS UNDER GONE  BASIC ORIENTATION TRAINING & SKILL TRAINING

LIVELIHOOD

ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE SANCTIONED TO SELF HELP GROUPS & TO DISABLED INDIVIDUALS