Kolkata, July 6 -- With the monsoon intensifying and water levels rising in the Silabati and Jhumi rivers, the West Bengal government on Monday reviewed flood preparedness in Ghatal while reaffirming its commitment to the long-pending Ghatal Master Plan.

State Irrigation and Waterways Minister Arup Kumar Das chaired a high-level meeting at the Ghatal Town Hall before inspecting ongoing work under the Master Plan, including the proposed pump house site at Krishnanagar.

The administration has stepped up advance preparations after heavy rain raised river levels and damaged several temporary bridges over the Jhumi river. The district administration has surveyed vulnerable areas, while a recent review meeting assessed flood management measures.

Officials discussed keeping adequate boats ready for rescue operations, pre-positioning generators in flood-prone areas, and ensuring the availability of relief materials and dry food. Plans were also made to deploy police and NDRF teams to evacuate critically ill patients, pregnant women and snakebite victims to hospitals during emergencies.

Das also reviewed the progress of the Ghatal Master Plan. Officials said the project would be executed on the basis of a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR), incorporating modifications to the earlier plan prepared by the previous government.

The minister said work would begin after the monsoon and is expected to be completed within four years. The state government has earmarked Rs 1,232 crore for the project.

"It will take us four years to implement the Ghatal Master Plan. The project has been redesigned with inputs from experts and necessary corrections have been made to the earlier plan. Work will be carried out so that it is completed within the stipulated time frame," Das said.

Among those present were Irrigation Department Principal Secretary Rajesh Sinha, District Magistrate Bijin Krishna, Superintendent of Police Papiya Sultana, the Ghatal Sub-Divisional Officer and other district and block-level officials.

Ghatal MP Deepak Adhikari, better known as actor Dev, who had attended similar review meetings in the past, was, however, absent.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.