Flood-Control Projects Worth Rs 7 Crore Approved for North Bengal; Opposition Criticises Timing

MP, June 18, 2026, Jalpaiguri: Ahead of the monsoon season, the state Irrigation Department has approved three major flood-control projects across North Bengal, allocating nearly Rs 7 crore for the works.

However, despite the urgency of flood protection measures, the projects are unlikely to commence before the onset of the rains, drawing criticism from opposition parties.

According to the department, the right-bank embankment of the Sankosh River in Kumargram, Alipurduar district, will be repaired and strengthened at an estimated cost of Rs 1.26 crore.

Flood-control works have also been sanctioned along a nearly one-kilometre stretch of the right-bank embankment of the Diana River in Nagrakata, Jalpaiguri district.

In addition, protective measures will be undertaken along a 1.05-kilometre stretch of the right-bank embankment of the Balason River in the M.M. Terai area of Naxalbari in Siliguri.

The delay in implementation has triggered sharp reactions from the opposition.

District CPI(M) Secretary Pijush Mishra and District Congress President Amit Bhattacharya questioned the timing of the approvals, asking what purpose such projects serve if work cannot begin before the monsoon arrives.

Former Trinamool Congress district chairman and ex-MLA Khageswar Roy also raised concerns over the delay, saying: “Several flood-control projects had been approved by the previous government before the announcement of elections.”

Countering the allegations, BJP district president Shyamal Roy said, “The earlier Trinamool government had forwarded several proposals to the Irrigation Department’s Kolkata office but failed to secure final approval. It is the present BJP government that ultimately sanctioned the projects.”

A senior Irrigation Department engineer attributed the delay to the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and election-related procedures.

The official said tenders have already been floated and work orders issued.

Whether work can begin during the current monsoon season will depend on weather conditions and ongoing assessments by the department.