Thursday, January 6 2005 12:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Stating that the State had to pay heavily for the absence of an early tsunami warning system, the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam)-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) today (Jan 6, 2005) demanded setting up of warning centres along the Tamil Nadu coast.

In a resolution adopted at a meeting of the alliance in Chennai, it said that Tamil Nadu had to face extensive damage during the December 26 tsunami strike as it lacked warning mechanism.

Such warning centres should be established at least at Chennai, Nagapattinam and Kanniyakumari, it said.

It said that the Centre and State Governments should take steps to declare December 26 as tsunami day for creating awareness among the public.

It demanded conversion of the east coast road into four lanes for smooth flow of traffic during natural calamities as the coastal districts of the State were hit by the natural calamities often.

Another resolution demanded the centre to extend liberal financial aid to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Kerala and Pondicherry as these States were hit by natural calamities often. It pointed out that the Centre was extending help to the backward States, adding that such help should be given to coastal States also.

It demanded the constitution of all party committees at National and State levels to undertake relief works and monitor them during natural calamities. Tamil Nadu Government should constitute local committees, consisting of elected representatives of local bodies to co-ordinate relief work in the tsunami-hit districts of the State, it said.