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West Bengal plans to have permanent embankments

KOLKATA: Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee will place before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a proposal for construction of permanent reinforced embankments in the coastal areas of West Bengal, including the Sunderbans, to prevent flooding in the event of a natural disaster.

This project will cost about Rs.10,000 crore, according to preliminary estimates. Funds from international agencies can be sought.

Mr. Bhattacharjee is expected to meet the Prime Minister on June 19.

At an all-party meeting here on Sunday, the Chief Minister reviewed the progress of restoration work and in providing relief to the victims of cyclone Aila, which struck parts of the State on May 25. The Trinamool Congress, the principal Opposition, did not attend the meeting, citing the State government’s failure to provide timely and adequate relief to the cyclone affected. It had stayed away from the June 7 all-party meeting also.

Nearly 90 per cent of relief supplies had reached the victims through gram panchayats, and efforts were being stepped up to ensure that villagers in remoter areas were provided for adequately, Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta, who was present at Sunday’s talks, said later.

Once water receded in the flooded areas, steps would be taken to resume farming and pisciculture. Emphasis would be placed on repairs to buildings in educational institutions, and funds provided to students for purchase of books.

The government was keen on setting up permanent camps in safe areas in the coastal region where people could take shelter in times of a natural disaster, he said.

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