Sonia asks Deshmukh to speed up relief work

Sonia asks Deshmukh to speed up relief work
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

MUMBAI, JULY 15: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday visited the families affected by the landslide at Ghatkopar and asked Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh to speed up rehabilitation efforts.

``Since the residents have brought to my notice the slow progress of the rehabilitation work, I have asked the Chief Minister to gear up the operations, so that the affected families get relief in a time-bound period,'' Sonia Gandhi said.

Accompanied by Deshmukh, MPCC President Govindrao Adik and Congress leader Murli Deora, Sonia visited Ghatkopar to see for herself the destruction wrought by the landslide, distributed keys of houses to those whose land was acquired for construction of road and also met the injured persons at the Rajawadi Hospital.

Like her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi too brushed aside the security cover to meet the members of the affected families. After spending less than 10 minutes at the site, Sonia Gandhi personally met some of the members of the bereaved families, who had been given temporary shelter by the nearby residents.

Of course, the residents were happy to meet the Congress leader. ``We were overwhelmed by her visit and kind words. Since she has assured us assistance, we feel that we will not be left high and dry,'' Shanti Devi, whose house has been completely damaged owing to landslide said. Deshmukh assured her that all those affected would be provided alternative accommodation and said the vacant land available in the same area has been already proposed for them.

The revenue ministry officials will hold a meeting with the Maharashtra Housing Area and Development Authority officials on July 17 to take a final decision.

Rescue workers were digging through the rubble for the fourth day when Sonia arrived. She visited the nearby relief camp and distributed food and clothes. She also went to Rajawadi hospital, where about 30 injured are admitted.

Talking to a group of media persons outside Rajawadi hospital, Gandhi said the state government would facilitate construction of houses for the displaced persons. ``It is a terrible sight'', she said after a glance at the debris of mud and boulders.