Complaint against builders illegally filling up waterbodies

Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has lodged complaints with the state Irrigation and Waterways department against certain builders who are allegedly illegally filling up waterbodies to make room for high-rises.

Sabyasachi Dutta, Mayor of BMC, said complaints have been lodged with the state Environment department and the BMC will lodge an FIR with the police as well. A complaint has also been lodged with the District Magistrate of North 24 Parganas. Additional District Magistrate (Land and Land Reforms) has started an inquiry regarding the same.

It may be mentioned that over and again Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said that anyone involved in filling up of waterbodies will not be spared and stringent action will be taken against them. Sovan Chatterjee, state Environment minister, said the department will conduct an inquiry and those found guilty will not be spared. He further added: "Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee has said that anyone involved in filling up of waterbodies will be punished irrespective of political colour."

Chatterjee added that all civic bodies have been asked to ensure that no waterbody is filled up and any civic official allowing construction on reclaimed land will be pulled up. Some builders are filling up a portion of a waterbody in Ward No. 36. Some civic employees spotted it and informed the Irrigation and Waterways department.