No funds allotted for Bengal's flood management programme despite nod for investment

The West Bengal government's mega flood management programmer -'Ghatal Master Plan' - which aims to bring major relief to the people living in the low lying areas of Ghatal and adjoining areas of West Bengal's Midnapore from immense flooding every year is yet to see the light of the day. TMC MP from Ghatal Deepak Adhikari alias Dev has sought details from the Union minister of state for water resources about the current status of the Ghatal Master Plan and whether the government has sanctioned any funds for the project to the Jal Shakti minister. In its response, the ministry stated that the flood management project of West Bengal, namely Phase-I works of Ghatal Master Plan in Paschim Medinipur and Purba Medinipur districts, ws taken into consideration by the advisory committee of the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti in the 136th meeting held on June 6, 2018 and the plan was accepted for its techno-economic viability at an estimated cost of Rs. The Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti is responsible for the providing technical guidance, scrutiny, clearance and monitoring of the irrigation, flood control and multi-purpose projects.