Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Monday launched the distribution of satellite phones to fishermen involved in deep sea fishing, in a bid to assist in their navigation while sailing the high seas. The Indian Space Research Organisation has designed the NaVIC (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System) receivers and 200 of them have been delivered to the State.

In line with the announcement made on the floor of the Assembly earlier this year that satellite phones would be distributed to fishermen involved in deep sea fishing, the CM launched the scheme here.

With NaVICs, fishermen can be alerted about the weather, any natural disaster through messages sent through Bluetooth technology to Android-based phones with the fishermen. The system will function with the help of India Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS).

The Chief Minister also inaugurated, through video conference mode, 1,392 housing units constructed at a cost of 80.54 crore and 448 housing units constructed at a cost of 13.88 crore in Ukkadam in Coimbatore district.

The 256 housing units constructed at a cost of 60.47 crore in Madhukkarai in the same district was were inaugurated.
Periyar bus terminus

Mr. Palaniswami also laid the foundation stone for the Periyar bus terminus that is to be constructed at a cost of 78 crore in Tirunelveli.

He further inaugurated new buildings in Theni, Sivaganga, Vellore and Tiruvarur districts.