West Bengal Urged to Seek External Funding for Ghatal Flood Project

New Delhi, Jun 26 (PTI) Flooding continues to wreak havoc in West Bengal's Ghatal region, with the Centre indicating a lack of available resources from its flood management programme to support new projects. However, it has advised the state government to pursue external funding sources for the Ghatal Master Plan. According to a senior government official, "We have advised the Government of West Bengal that if they want to pursue the Ghatal project, they are free to seek external funding from the World Bank, ADB, and other agencies." The official also assured, "We will support it. We are ready to give technical clearance when they need it." The Centre highlighted Assam's recent success in securing external funding for a major flood mitigation initiative, suggesting West Bengal follow this example. "The Assam government has taken a loan for a comprehensive project for the Brahmaputra. West Bengal can also follow a similar route," the official mentioned. The recommendation comes as West Bengal faces massive flooding in the Ghatal subdivision of Paschim Medinipur district. State Irrigation Minister Manas Bhuniya stated on Monday that nearly two lakh people have been affected in the recent deluge, accusing the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) of aggravating the situation. Bhuniya alleged that the DVC released water from its dams in Jharkhand without proper coordination, despite numerous appeals from the state. The Ghatal Master Plan, pending for years, envisions a network of embankments, canals, and pumping stations aimed at preventing chronic flooding in the region.