A delegation from Punjab, including former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Bibi Jagir Kaur, on Tuesday accompanied Tamil Nadu Governor Surjeet Singh Barnala to the tsunami-affected villages in Nagapattinam district and announced a massive relief programme.
"A special train from Punjab carrying relief materials, including 10 tonnes of rice and other essential items, besides 400 volunteers and 25 doctors, will arrive today in nearby Tiruchirapally district and the materials will then be sent to the affected areas," Badal said.
The train will have 10,000 tents, medical supplies and materials to set up huge langars (community kitchen) to feed around 10,000 people at a time, he said.
During their visit to Akkarapettai village, the governor interacted with the fishing community and promised that its demands for a seawall and permanent relocation two kilometres from the coast would be considered.
The team also visited the temporary shelters constructed for those rendered homeless and expressed satisfaction with the Tamil Nadu government's relief and rehabilitation efforts.
"Our volunteers will work round-the-clock in the affected villages and will continue their service till the life of those affected returns to normal," Bibi Jagir Kaur said.
"We are planning to send a similar relief team to Andaman and Nicobar Islands," she said, adding that philanthropist and Akali activist Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, who accompanied the delegation, had donated 5 crore for relief operations.