Irrigation dept looks to finish 65 km long embankment in 15 days

The state irrigation minister Rajib Banerjee went to South 24-Parganas and the vulnerable areas to take a stock of the situation ahead of the monsoon season.

It may be mentioned that after the change of the guard in the state, the irrigation department takes up steps to ensure minimum loss, in case there is any flood by constructing embankments and strengthening them wherever necessary ahead of the monsoon. It had brought a sea of change in the lives of the people in the areas who are vulnerable to flood.

 Five years ago, the people in those areas used to remain prepared to search for shelter leaving their houses, because no measures were taken to avoid those villages getting inundated by water during monsoon.

Banerjee said that following the instruction of the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the irrigation department has undertaken necessary work so that people do not have to pass through any difficulties.

After visiting various places in South 24-Parganas on Wednesday, he held meeting with all the MLAs and senior district officials including the District Magistrate.

He said that the dredging work of two to three canals are also going on and the work will be completed soon. At the same time the strengthening work of the embankments will also take place in war footing. The task will be completed much ahead of the next date of high tide, when water level in rivers goes up to a considerable level.

A team comprising officials of the irrigation department has also been posted for round-the-clock monitoring.He said a few long term projects will also be taken up besides these short term projects. The major task among the long term projects is to construct concrete embankments in some areas in the district. 

There are land issues in some places and he has urged the MLAs to take necessary steps to resolve those problems as early as possible, so that the work can be started soon after the monsoon.

Three heavy duty pumps have also been installed at Sonarpur pumping station so that water logging would not be a problem anymore in the urban parts of Sonarpur. 

At the same time the work of cleaning 27 km of Tolly Nala has also been taken up and directions have been given to expedite the work.