Rural works minister Bhim Singh looks at a model shelter house in Patna on Wednesday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, July 6: The rural works department has constructed 17 shelter houses in three regions, including Madhepura, Supaul and Saharsa, to accommodate people evacuated because of flood. The initiative has been taken under the Kosi Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Policy, framed after flood hit the Koshi region in 2008.

Displaying the model of the shelter house, rural works minister Bhim Singh today said: “The department has completed the construction work of shelter houses at 17 places out of 57 in these three regions. Though the Koshi flood hit two other regions — Purnea and Araria, the shelter houses would be constructed there in the second phase.”

Singh said: “In Madhepura, 18 shelter houses would be built. There would be 10 such houses in Supaul and 29 in Saharsa region. Each shelter house would accommodate 60 families.”

The minister said: “The role of the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and the World Bank was very important in the construction of the shelter houses. The department is keen to construct more such shelter houses to help the displaced flood victims. But we have failed to build them in several areas because of scarcity of land. But the government will try harder to make more such houses for the flood victims.”

The minister said: “The shelters houses are being built in the places where the populations is more than 500.” Describing the structure of the shelter house, Singh said: “The height of the plinth of a shelter house is 5’. These houses are very airy. The roofs of the shelter houses are made in such a way that the relief material can be dropped on them easily from helicopters.”

Singh said: “They are vital in fighting flood. The model displayed here is the example of how the state government is keen to extend all possible support to the flood victims. The department is working on construction of roads in Mahepura and Supaul region. The World Bank has sanctioned money after going through the detailed project report on the construction 290km road.”

Speaking on how the state was prepared to fight flood, Singh said: “Executive engineer Bhagat Ram has been appointed as officer on special duty and he will be looking after the issues related to the flood,” Singh said.