New Delhi, 6 October (IANS). The central government is constantly talking to the Bhutan government to solve the problems of sudden floods and river erosion on the border rivers in West Bengal. The two countries are employed like Joint Expert Group (JGE), Joint Technical Team (JTT) and Joint Expert Team (JET) on this important issue between the two, including officials of the West Bengal State Government.
Recently, the 11th JGE meeting held in Paro, Bhutan has considered eight new rivers from Bhutan to West Bengal-Hashimarazhora, Jogikhola, Rokia, Dhawalajhora, Gabur Basra, Gabur Jyoti, Pana and Raidak. Along with this, the work of strengthening the hydrology observation network in Bhutan is also going on to improve flood forecast on across the border rivers towards India.
The central government has so far released Rs 1,290 crore to the West Bengal government under flood management projects, while no new funding motion of such project is currently pending with the Center.
Under the Ganga Action Plan and Namami Gange project, 62 projects and intervention of a total of Rs 5,648.52 crore have been introduced in the state of West Bengal. The National Clean Ganga Mission (NMCG) has approved 31 sewerage infrastructure projects and 30 ghats and cremation projects in the state.
For sewerage infrastructure, 31 projects worth Rs 4,605.72 crore are targeted to construct an additional sewerage treatment plant (STP) capacity of 767.27 MLD and laying 981 km sewerage network.
NMCG has released Rs 1,942.86 crore for these works. In addition, the Toli Nala revival in Kolkata has also been approved, the largest single project of the river revival, which is an estimated cost of Rs 817.30 crore.
225.50 crore has been sanctioned for ghats and cremation projects, out of which Rs 196.17 crore has been distributed.
NMCG has clarified that the system of issuing advance funds for sewerage projects is adopted, so no claim to dues Rs 477 crore reflects the current fund situation correctly.
Under the Namami Gange Mission-II, 16 cities of West Bengal were identified, but only 4 detailed project reports (DPRs) have been presented by the state, whose main reason for the delay is the issues of land acquisition. Currently no DPR is pending for approval of NMCG.
-IANS
SAK/DSC
