Bengal govt, Damodar Valley Corporation, BJP at loggerheads over flood preparedness

West Bengal government, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and BJP are at loggerheads over release of water by the Corporation, flooding of several districts in Bengal and lack of flood preparedness despite huge fund allocation by the central government.

The blame game is on with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claiming that DVC has released excess water leading to inundation of several districts, while DVC claimed that the state government was informed before releasing the water. BJP on the other hand blamed the state government for wasting crores of funds over the years and not spending the same on flood preparedness, flood-preventive infrastructure development over the years.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narednra Modi last week and also complained to him about DVC releasing water, which led to flooding of extensive areas in the state, including Hooghly, Howrah and East Midnapore districts. Banerjee, even visited the flood affected areas of Howrah district and assured them all help to the people.


“From 2012, the central government has provided almost Rs 12,500 crore funds for flood control measures, various river dams construction and other infrastructural developmental works in the vulnerable areas. However, the funds have been not been utilized despite the central government providing funds. Every year, Mamata Banerjee is complaining about the DVC’s release of water and flood in certain districts and crisis,” Dilip Ghosh told Economic Times.

Dilip Ghosh visited various flood-affected areas of Ghatal and distributed relief materials to people and heard about the agonies of the residents, claimed that the people in East Midnapore's Ghatal did not even receive relief. “For the past 10 years, state government has miserably failed to provide relief to the flood-hit residents from the scourge of water. The funds sent by the Central Government have not at all channelised for this purpose. But the point is...then, where is this fund being allocated and for what purpose?” Dilip Ghosh said.

Asked about the state government’s allegation about release of water, DVC Executive Director Satyabrata Banerjee said that state government was informed about the water release.