The Centre has sanctioned a 1,500 crore rupee cyclone risk mitigation project for coastal states. It will enable to put in place better cyclone forecasting, tracking and warning systems. The first phase of this National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project is being launched in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.The major initiatives under this ambitious project are to upgrade cyclone forecasting, tracking and warning systems, cyclone risk mitigation and capacity building in multi-hazard risk management. An amount of 246 crore rupees has already been provided in the budget of Ministry of Home Affairs for this year for this ambitious project. AIR correspondent reports, the government also plans to construct multipurpose cyclone shelters, including shelter-cum-godown, approach roads, bridges to habitation and embankments, including construction and renovation of saline embankments.