Paravoor tragedy: Kerala seeks assistance from Centre for rehabilitation

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government submitted a memorandum to the Centre on Tuesday seeking assistance for relief and rehabilitation of victims of Puttingal temple fireworks tragedy.

The memorandum notes that the accident, which claimed 107 lives, had caused an actual loss of Rs. 117.35 crores. (As per norms, the loss would come to only Rs. 48.15 crores). More than 1000 persons had been injured and experts had opined that the region would require a long term rehabilitation plan including psycho-social care. So, the accident should be treated as a national calamity.

The area affected by  the disaster will require long term de-contamination measures to remove heavy metals and toxic substances in the soil and water. Support of the Centre was needed for establishing a long term rehabilitation project the area.

The losses to houses in the area are estimated to be Rs. 39 crores. Long term pyscho-social care, treatment of hearing impaired, seed funds for establishing burn care centre at district hospital, Kollam, and establishment of permanent drinking water kiosk using atmospheric water maker and solar energy are estimated to cost nearly Rs. 6 crore.

State Pollution Control Board will require Rs. 9.5 crore for decontamination of soil and water. Rs. 22.30 crore is being spent for providing gratuitous relief to the next of kin of the dead and the injured.