GANDHIDHAM, June 17: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today visited Gandhidham to meet the cyclone-affected people of Kandla. However, he did not go to Kandla which was only 10 km away from Gandhidham but flew back directly from the venue he had landed after meeting the people for nearly half-an-hour.In his address to the officials, residents and affected people, he referred to the day of the cyclone as the "black day" and said that the Centre would give as much monetary help as required. After the exact details are sent from here and the team set up by the Centre to review the situation submits its report, money wil be sent immediately, he said.He also urged the district administration and the Kandla Port Trust authorities to "not point fingers at each other" and instead work in total cooperation to help restore the Kandla port. He stressed on the importance of the port in terms of its economic value to the country.As a much-needed boost to the sagging moral of the residents, he praised the RSSvolunteers, voluntary agencies, the BSF, the Navy and the Army in this "human test". He said "the first priority should be the restoration of water, electricity and infrastructure with all the energy possible." He was received by the Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel at Bhuj in the morning who also accompanied him to Gandhidham. Apart from Minister of Surface Transport Thambidurai, he was also accompanied by secretary, Surface Transport, president Shipping Corporation and other port developement officers who appraised him of the damages in Kandla. In Gandhidham, he was received by Suresh Mehta, State Industries Minister and Ashok Bhatt, Health Minister. He met the local Chamber of Commerce representatives, the Kisan Sangh leader, salt owners who had suffered heavy damages because of the cyclone and were asking for concessions in view of the latest natural disaster. He also spoke to a few families who had lost most of their family members and their entire belongings. BSF commandant Ganguly and PI Joshi who haddone commendable work in the rescue operations were also introduced to him.While the Prime Minister was speaking in the pandal near the temporary helipad, the police had trouble controlling a large group of slum-dwellers of Gandhidham and Kandla from disrupting the meeting. The Congress workers were seen moving around with black bands as the Prime Minister had not even visited the cyclone-ravaged area.
