Following are the excerpts from the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh’s statement at a press interaction in Mumbai today. The Prime Minister did an aerial survey of flood affected areas in Raigad and Thane districts of Maharashtra. He also did an aerial survey of the fire-affected site of ONGC Oil Platform at Mumbai High .
“Maharashtra, particularly Mumbai and its neighbouring districts, have been hit by a natural calamity on an unprecedented scale. The Western part of the state, I am told, has received unprecedented record rainfall, a record in almost a hundred years.
I am told that Mumbai, Raigad and Thane areas are the worst affected although a lot of damage has occurred elsewhere also in this state .
We have also had a major accident at an ONGC Oil Platform yesterday in Mumbai High, where I am told, 10 persons have unfortunately died and the search is still on for about 20 persons. Oil production is also, I am told, hit.
I have had a chance to fly over Mumbai High and over the affected areas of Raigad district. I have seen the flooding in parts of Mumbai city and will be flying over other affected parts of Mumbai and Thane later.
The loss of life is huge and I am told that while confirmed figures are yet to be arrived at, the death toll in Mumbai, Thane and Raigad could be in the region of 300-500. I am deeply pained by this human tragedy and my heart goes out to the bereaved families.
There has been widespread loss to property and civic infrastructure as well. Private property has suffered extensively and I sympathise with those who have been affected.
First and foremost, I would like to place on record my admiration for the citizens of this great city of Mumbai. You have suffered a lot in the last three days but have shown resilience, fortitude, courage and patience in dealing with this calamity. You have borne a lot of personal distress in silence and have worked to restore this city to normalcy. You have demonstrated to the world what a Mumbaikar is made of and I salute you all. I would like to pay a tribute to our Armed Forces for providing relief with superb speed, efficiency and dedication.
The Central Government stands by the State Government in its relief efforts. Our Armed Forces have been doing their utmost by providing all possible assistance in rescue and relief operations. Manpower, boats, aircraft and helicopters have been placed at the disposal of the State Government. The Railways are working overtime to restore operations and the airport is functional.
I am also directing the Surface Transport Ministry to restore National Highways at the earliest.
We are now releasing an additional Rs.500 crores as special assistance for relief and rehabilitation operations. Funds will not be a constraint for relief and rehabilitation efforts. 10,000 tonnes of foodgrains will also be released.
Over and above this assistance, we will be providing Rs.1 lakh to each of the families of those who have lost their members in this calamity from PM’s calamity relief fund.
I am also pained at the loss of life in the ONGC accident. ONGC mobilised all its resources immediately on hearing about the news of this accident. We will try to locate all those who are missing and also take steps to restore production at the earliest. We will ensure that there are no shortages of petroleum products on account of this accident.”
YSR/DS/SKS
(Release ID :10607)