Chennai: Asserting that efforts to trace missing fishermen have not been given up, Union Minister of State for Finance and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan informed that a special officer from the Shipping Ministry has been deputed to oversee the rescue operation in the aftermath of cyclone Ockhi.
The Minister who visited the fishing hamlets and tribal areas affected by cyclone Ockhi, said on Saturday that steps were being taken to bring back the fishermen who were stranded in various states due to the cyclone. About 16 boats which had strayed to other States had left the shores and another 12 more were ready to leave. They would soon reach Kanyakumari districts.
Earlier, Mr. Radhakrishnan advocated the establishing of a base for Indian Coast Guard in Kanyakumari in order to save fishermen during natural calamities. As the district was surrounded by sea on three sides, such a base equipped with helicopter too, would come in handy for the ICG to expedite the process of rescuing the fishermen.
He claimed that there has been no let up in the efforts to rescue the missing fishermen and said the officials have also been entrusted with the task of bringing the stranded fishermen home safely. The Defence Minister, he said, had ordered search operations to find the missing fishermen. He urged the Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami to undertake a visit to the cyclone-affected district and also enhance the relief sum for the people.
