Bhubaneswar, Aug 21: Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to present a seven-point demand aimed at strengthening the state’s disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience.

The meeting focused on securing central assistance to address challenges arising from frequent natural calamities such as cyclones and floods.

Among the key demands was the construction of 800 multipurpose cyclone and flood shelters across the state. These shelters are expected to provide safe refuge during emergencies and enhance Odisha’s disaster response capabilities.

Also read: Odisha Pushes for ₹11,400 Crore Disaster Grant

Minister Pujari also urged the Centre to modernize early weather warning systems to ensure timely alerts and minimize damage.

A major proposal discussed was the undergrounding of power infrastructure in flood-prone areas. Odisha has faced prolonged power outages during disasters due to damage to overhead electricity lines. The state estimates an initial investment of ₹7,500 crore for this ambitious project and is seeking central support to implement it.

In addition, Minister Pujari held discussions with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan regarding land settlement issues, which continue to pose administrative challenges in Odisha. He also raised concerns about the lifting of rice stocks by the Food Corporation of India (FCI), requesting intervention to streamline the process.

These discussions reflect Odisha’s proactive approach to disaster management and its commitment to building resilient infrastructure with central collaboration.