Ganjam district administration to reconstruct schools in Odisha

Berhampur (Odisha): Using pre-fabricated technology, the Ganjam district administration in Odisha has decided to reconstruct at least 24 school buildings damaged by Cyclone Phailin.
The re-construction work in 10 high schools and 14 elementary schools ravaged in the cyclone, would be taken up after approval by the state government. “The schools have been identified for re-construction in pre-fabricated technology and we are waiting for government’s approval to start the work,” said Ganjam District Collector Krishan Kumar. The pre-fabricated structure is environment friendly, movable and re-located.
The structure is durable and can sustain up to 200-km wind speed. Moreover, the construction of the structures would be finished in 45 days to two months from the start of work, he said.
According to an official report, 81 out of total 5153 of different categories of schools have been fully damaged in the district due to the very severe cyclone Phailin on October 12 and subsequent floods.
These included 44 primary, 27 upper primary and 10 high schools. Over 3900 other schools have sustained partial damage and also needed repair, report said. “We have selected these 24 schools for urgent construction in pre-fabricated model as these are currently functioning at the temporary locations like cyclone shelters,” said an officer.
Re-construction of at least two classrooms in each of these elementary and three classrooms in every high school along with small office rooms is needed as the buildings have been completely damaged.
Tata Steel, which has constructed several buildings by using pre-fabricated technology, has also agreed to re-construct school building using same technology. District administration has discussed the issue with the company officials as re-construction of these school buildings was urgently needed to run the classes.
“We have requested the government to ask Tata Steel to provide at least 20 per cent of the cost of the structures through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund for construction of the pre-fabricated buildings,” said a senior officer.
Tata Steel has proposed to construct the Industrial Park near Gopalpur in the district on the land which it had acquired for the purpose of setting up a mega steel plant in mid-nineties. (PTI)