Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Narendra Modi on construction of river bundh in Bangladesh

KOLKATA: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi drawing attention to a 2.14 km long concrete embankment erected by Bangladesh on Atreyee river in its side without informing the West Bengal government, the state Assembly was informed today.

A day before the chief minister goes to Dhaka and joins Prime Minister Modi on his maiden Bangladesh visit, state Irrigation Minister Rajib Banerjee said in the Assembly that a 2.14 km-long bundh (embankment) has been constructed in the Bangladesh side on Atreyee River, which was affecting flow of water into the Indian side.

He said as per international norms, a country has to inform its neighbour about any such activity if a river passes through both the nations.

Atreyee River originates in Bangladesh and meanders into India in South Dinajpur district and then reenters Bangladesh.

"The chief minister has written to the Prime Minister informing him about the matter," Banerjee said.

"I have written to Union Minister for Water Resources Uma Bharti and have also spoken to her on the issue," he said.

Later, asked by reporters as to whether the chief minister would take up the issue with the Bangladesh authorities, the minister said "I have no information about that."

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would leave here for Dhaka tomorrow and join Prime Minister Narendra Modi there, where Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would also be present during the signing of the Land Boundary Agreement on June 6.