West Bengal draws up plans to check floods

West Bengal government is drawing up two master plans to check floods in north Bengal.

One master plan is for Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Darjeeling districts while the other one is for Malda, North and South Dinajpur. Government officials say that a consultant is being engaged to conduct a survey and prepare necessary assessment for the master plan for Malda, North and South Dinajpur.

The detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared after the assessment report is ready. The process to engage a consultant for the survey to prepare the master plan for the four other North Bengal districts has also already begun.

Execution of the master plan will ensure strengthening of the existing embankments where necessary, including building proper drainage channels and other infrastructural enhancements for better irrigation. At the same time all the 32 sluice gates in north Bengal will be upgraded.

The funding pattern has not been finalised yet, officials added. They said that either the state government will fully fund the master plans or it might approach the World Bank for part of the funding.