In Crete today is the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Dimas, participating in a government delegation, with the aim of assessing the impact of the intense weather phenomena of the previous days on the island, as well as coordinating the next actions for recording and restoring the damage.
As part of the visit, a broad meeting was held at the Region of Crete, in Heraklion, with the participation of representatives of the Region, Local Government and competent bodies.
During the meeting, the situation that has developed in the affected areas was presented in detail and an initial recording was made of the needs in infrastructure, road network, flood protection works, as well as in the agricultural and livestock sector.
Also participating in the government delegation are the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Evangelos Tournas, the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, Giannis Andrianos, the Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Kostas Katsafados, the Secretary General of Infrastructure, Dimitris Anagnopoulos, the Special Secretary for Hydraulic Works and Buildings, Charalampos Mygdalis, and the Secretary General for the Restoration of Natural Disasters and State Aid, Petros Kampouris.
After the meeting, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Dimas, stated: “The intensity and extent of the extreme weather phenomena in Crete are indeed unprecedented. We have already begun the process of recording the damage, so that we can proceed with the restoration of infrastructure, in cooperation with both the first and second levels of Local Government. As regards the aspect of loss of income, especially in plant capital and livestock capital, care is being taken by ELGA and the Ministry of Rural Development and Food. Therefore, on the part of the State, the procedures have begun and our goal is to be able to complete them as quickly as possible for the benefit of the citizens”.
Asked about this, Mr. Dimas said that flood protection is included in the planning and budget of the major construction projects of the Northern Road Axis of Crete and the new airport in Kastelli.
“These are very important projects, which – first and foremost – are designed for the citizens, the permanent residents of the area and obviously also serve visitors to the island and our country. We are in extremely good cooperation with Local Government and most of the requests that have been submitted for additional arrangements in both projects have been adopted”, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport added.
Subsequently, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, accompanied by the Secretary General of Infrastructure and the Special Secretary for Hydraulic Works and Buildings, visited construction sites of the BOAK and the construction site of the new Heraklion International Airport in Kastelli, in order to be informed about the progress of the projects.