Saturday, January 1 2005 20:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Pondicherry: Pondicherry needed about Rs 440 crore to conduct relief and rehabilitation works in the areas affected by the December 26 tsunami, Lt Governor M M Lakhera said today (Jan 1, 2005).

For reconstructing the houses, about 8,000 of which were lost in the devastation at the coastal areas of Pondicherry and Kariakal, an estimated Rs 160 crore would be needed, he told reporters in Pondicherry.

The Centre had already released Rs 50.5 crore for relief and rehabilitation works, he told reporters here.

He said several organisations, including banks, had come forward to extend loans for reconstruction the houses.

Lakhera said he had requested the Maharashtra Government to adopt some of the affected villages and construct houses there.

He said the priority of the Government was to provide shelters and revive fishing activities by providing boats and nets to the fishermen.

He said all the relief camps were functioning well. Proper care was taken to provide medical facilities to the affected persons and food packets to them in these camps, he said.