New Delhi, Aug 20: Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, urging the Centre to allocate over ₹11,400 crore in disaster preparedness grants to the state.

The meeting, held during a session on disaster management and capacity building, focused on strengthening Odisha’s infrastructure to combat frequent natural calamities.

Pujari submitted five key proposals to Shah, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced support to protect vulnerable coastal regions and improve early warning systems.

The proposals include:

- ₹2,000 crore for constructing 500 cyclone shelters across disaster-prone districts.

- ₹8,363 crore for developing disaster-resilient electric infrastructure, crucial for maintaining power during emergencies.

- ₹200 crore for modernizing early warning systems, including sirens and SMS alerts.

- Additional funding for coastal safety measures under central schemes.

- Enhanced national and international collaboration for disaster mitigation.

The proposals align with the Narendra Modi government’s rescue-centric disaster response strategy, which the Union Home Minister highlighted during the meeting. Shah noted that India has seen a 98% reduction in cyclone-related casualties since 2014, thanks to improved planning and infrastructure.

Pujari also referenced Odisha’s vulnerability to cyclones, floods, and coastal erosion, stressing the importance of proactive investment. Odisha hopes to secure a significant share of these funds to bolster its disaster resilience.