Bengal polls: Didi didn’t keep her word, we’ll make Sunderbans a district, says Amit Shah

Taking the development plank to the cyclone-ravaged and under-developed Sunderbans region, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the area would be declared a district if the BJP comes to power to ensure that it is developed. The party promised to earmark `100 crore to expedite the construction of roads and bridges in the region, Shah has said.

“After formation of the new BJP government in Bengal, Sunderbans will be declared a district, a promise failed by Mamata Banerjee. She had promised in 2016 to make Sunderbans a district,” Shah said, while speaking at a rally in South 24 Parganas on Tuesday.

Sunderbans, an UNESCO heritage site, has long been a neglected region with people facing several hardships following Cyclone Amphan and Cyclone Bulbul, which has deprived them of their livelihoods. Shah said BJP aims to upgrade and augment cyclone shelters in this region from 196 to 500 by 2023 and enhance Disaster Management Force to include at least 1,300 personnel.


The minister also announced that AIIMS will be set up in Sunderbans to enhance the healthcare facilities in this region. Repeated cyclones have turned the land uncultivable as salt water has come in during Cyclone Amphan. Shah also accused the Mamata Banerjee government of siphoning off central funds sent for Cyclone Amphan relief in the Sunderbans region and said: “Modiji had sent Rs 10,000 crore for Amphan relief. Have you seen any of it? 'Bhatija' (the CM’s nephew) has already siphoned off the funds.”