West Bengal Government Allocates ₹1,500 Crore for Ghatal Master Plan to Combat Flooding

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, 30 September 2024, Kolkata: In a significant step towards mitigating the perennial flood crisis in West Bengal's Ghatal region, the state government has committed ₹1,500 crore for the implementation of the much-anticipated Ghatal Master Plan. The ambitious project, which has been in the pipeline for years, aims to provide lasting relief to the flood-ravaged residents of the Ghatal subdivision in East and West Midnapore. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) has already been prepared, with a targeted completion timeline of two years.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, emphasizing the urgency of the project, held a high-level meeting at Nabanna to fast-track its execution. "The Ghatal Master Plan has been stalled for far too long. We must expedite this crucial work. There is also a need for a similar master plan for the Sundarbans, where rising water levels near Kapil Muni Ashram in Gangesagar are becoming a growing concern," the Chief Minister said during the meeting.

Ghatal, located about 120 km west of Kolkata, has become synonymous with devastating annual floods that impact both urban and rural areas. Local residents, many of whom live on or below the poverty line, have faced the brunt of these floods for decades. Every year, heavy monsoon rains and post-monsoon tropical cyclones from the Bay of Bengal inundate the region, causing immense damage to property and livelihoods.

The Ghatal region’s geographical challenges exacerbate the situation. It lies in a basin-shaped topography, surrounded by rivers like the Shilabati, Dwarkeshwar, and Rupnarayan, which frequently overflow during the monsoon season. The stagnant floodwaters make recovery even more difficult for the affected communities. Moreover, the release of excess water from upstream reservoirs of the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and the Kangsabati Project adds to the problem, contributing to prolonged waterlogging in the area.

The Ghatal Master Plan, seen as a long-term solution, will include extensive dredging of riverbeds and the reinforcement of embankments. The project is expected to alleviate the flood situation by improving drainage systems and controlling the water flow. Experts, like Dr. Sayantan Das of Dum Dum Motijheel College’s Geography Department, have emphasized the importance of managing the water released from the DVC and Kangsabati reservoirs, which frequently leads to severe flooding in the region.

For decades, the Ghatal area has seen little progress despite repeated promises from successive governments. Residents like Ashok Santra, a long-time CPI(M) worker, have expressed frustration over the delayed action. "The Left Front government tried for years to address this issue, but it remained unresolved. Even before that, Congress ruled for 30 years, yet the problem persists. The original funding structure, with a 60-40 split between the central and state governments, never materialized," Santra lamented.

With the ₹1,500 crore allocation, the state government hopes to bring about tangible improvements. As Paschim Medinipur heads to the polls in May 2025, the success of the Ghatal Master Plan will be a critical issue for local voters. The project’s implementation is not only a matter of infrastructure but a lifeline for the region’s flood-weary residents who have endured decades of hardship.

The urgency and scale of the project mark a turning point in the state's flood management strategy, offering renewed hope for the people of Ghatal.