Bhubaneswar: Odisha govt is building 87 more multipurpose cyclone shelters across the state, revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari informed the assembly.
Flood and cyclone shelter in Ganjam dist
Replying to a question by BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo, the minister said work on the new shelters, taken up since 2024, is underway and in different stages of completion. During the same period, 18 multipurpose cyclone shelters have already been built in the state.Official sources said Kendrapada has added six new shelters, followed by Balasore with five, Jajpur with four and Puri with three since 2024. With the addition of these 18 shelters, the total number of multipurpose cyclone and flood shelters in Odisha has increased to 929.Pujari said the state had constructed 911 multipurpose cyclone and flood shelters in 25 districts by 2024. These included 602 multipurpose cyclone shelters and 309 multipurpose flood shelters.“Based on the repair needs of older shelters, funds amounting to Rs 48.72 crore were provided to district administrations in 2024–25 for 812 shelters at the rate of Rs 6 lakh per shelter. These funds have been used for essential repair and maintenance of the shelters,” the minister said in his reply.He said the govt has also taken steps to ensure that all shelters remain functional and ready for use. Under a revenue and disaster management department resolution issued on Jan 15 last year, repair of shelters in rural areas has been assigned to panchayati raj and drinking water department, while repair of shelters in urban areas has been entrusted to housing and urban development department. The work has already begun.The minister said panchayati raj and drinking water department has taken necessary steps for repair and upkeep of shelters during the 2026–27 financial year.According to data provided by the minister, Puri has the highest number of multipurpose cyclone and flood shelters at 179, including 146 multipurpose cyclone shelters. Balasore has 144 shelters, including 116 cyclone shelters, followed by Kendrapada with 129 shelters, including 102 cyclone shelters, Ganjam with 110 shelters, including 78 cyclone shelters, Bhadrak with 106 shelters, including 83 cyclone shelters, and Khurda with 51 shelters, including 36 cyclone shelters.These coastal districts are among the most vulnerable to cyclones and floods and require a large number of shelters to accommodate people during disasters.