Mamata Banerjee Announces Rs 161.33 Crore Compensation Package to rebuild homes for 14,794 familiesfor Landslide and Flood-Affected Families in Bengal

KalimNews, Siliguri, November 10, 2025 : Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday unveiled a comprehensive relief and reconstruction package worth Rs 161.33 crore to rebuild homes for 14,794 families who lost their homes in the devastating landslide and floods that hit the state on October 4 and 5. The Chief Minister made the announcement during a high-level review meeting in Siliguri, where she assessed the flood and landslide relief efforts with District Magistrates (DMs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), and other senior officials from the affected districts.

Banerjee expressed her gratitude to the people and officials who risked their lives for the relief and rehabilitation work, acknowledging the progress made in restoring normalcy in the region. "North Bengal is slowly returning to normal after the floods and landslides. I express my heartfelt thanks to all those who have contributed to this great effort," she said, adding that this was her third visit to North Bengal since the floods struck, underscoring the government's ongoing commitment to the region's recovery.

During the meeting, Banerjee also distributed land pattas to 3,491 families in affected districts, including 1,467 in Jalpaiguri, 825 in Alipurduar, and 529 in Darjeeling. "After the disaster, we had promised to rebuild the affected families’ homes. The funds have now been released and will be directly credited to their bank accounts," she stated. The Chief Minister further highlighted that road restoration work was underway, with the Dudhiya Bridge having already been completed and the construction of a permanent bridge in progress.

Banerjee reiterated that her government had been committed to housing for the rural poor, especially after the central government stopped financial aid for rural housing projects. "From the time our government came to power until 2022, we built 45.7 lakh houses under the ‘Banglar Bari Yojana.’ Even after the Centre stopped releasing funds, we continued supporting people. So far, ₹14,400 crore has been given to 12 lakh families, and funds for another 16 lakh will be released between December and January," Banerjee said.

She also detailed the government’s housing efforts for minority women, announcing that 2.6 lakh houses had been built at a cost of Rs 2,500 crore. Additionally, 29,000 disaster-affected families in Raniganj had received assistance for housing.

On the agricultural front, Banerjee shared that the state government had provided vegetable kits, seeds, and crop supplies to 1.37 lakh farmers who had lost their produce in the floods, with an expenditure of Rs 10 crore. Furthermore, Rs 47 lakh was allocated to 807 farmers in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar for land restoration. Special saplings of orange, ginger, and cardamom had also been distributed to over 1,000 farmers in Darjeeling, where 212 hectares of farmland had been damaged.

The Chief Minister inaugurated 14 new health centres and 15 crèches in the tea garden areas of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar, and announced that 98 such crèches would be built in total. In line with her government’s commitment to improving living standards, she also announced that 100 buses equipped with medical facilities would soon be inaugurated to serve the districts.

Additionally, Banerjee revealed that 24 tea gardens had reopened, benefitting 22,000 workers, and that the government had increased the wages of tea garden workers. "We are providing ration, water, electricity, aprons, shoes, and other essential items to labourers. Ten special buses will also be introduced for students in tea gardens and forest areas to help them reach school," she added. She further mentioned that 59 tea gardens had reopened earlier, benefiting thousands of workers in the state’s tea sector.

Banerjee also made a special announcement regarding a new initiative in the tea garden region. "Our government has taken the initiative to build a cricket stadium named after Richa Ghosh, the World Cup champion and pride of Bengal, near the Chadmani Tea Estate. This will be a source of inspiration for young athletes, encouraging them to dream big and achieve their goals," she said.

After being honoured with the Banga Bhushan and appointed a DSP-rank officer, young cricket star Richa Ghosh has now been inspired by another historic move. The West Bengal government has announced the construction of an international cricket stadium in Siliguri, to be named Richa Cricket Stadium. 

This marks a significant moment not only for the region but also for the cricketing world, as Siliguri will now have its own international-standard facility, which could potentially host major cricket tournaments and contribute to the sport's growth in the state. Richa Ghosh, who has made her mark in international cricket, continues to be a beacon of inspiration for young sports enthusiasts, especially women, across Bengal.

The stadium’s construction is expected to bolster the region's infrastructure and provide a platform for aspiring cricketers to showcase their talent.

The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) in the development of North Bengal, particularly in the tea garden areas. She stated that the GTA has played a pivotal role in coordinating relief and rehabilitation efforts, ensuring that the region’s unique needs are addressed. "We are working closely with the GTA to ensure that the people of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and other areas benefit from these initiatives. The GTA has been instrumental in helping us roll out the relief measures efficiently," Banerjee said.

Banerjee also shared details about the ongoing development projects in the region. She mentioned the formation of a trust to oversee the construction of the Mahakal Temple in Siliguri, with the Chief Secretary heading the trust. The project also includes members such as industrialist Harsh Vardhan Neotia, Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb, and various local business and community leaders.

She also addressed the chronic flooding issue in the state, which affects around 43% of Bengal’s geographical area every year. "West Bengal is one of the most flood-prone states in India. This chronic problem requires a permanent, integrated solution. I again urge the Central Government to take simultaneous measures on flood management through the formation of an India-Bhutan Joint River Commission for regular observation and data exchange," Banerjee said, stressing the importance of coordinated flood management efforts.

As part of her ongoing commitment to the people of Bengal, Banerjee also appealed to state government officials to continue supporting people affected by the floods and landslides. "Our constitutional duty and moral responsibility are to protect the rights and dignity of our people, and we must stand by them at every step," she concluded.

This announcement of the Rs 161.33 crore compensation package is part of the Bengal government's broader efforts to address the devastation caused by the October floods, with ongoing relief, rehabilitation, and infrastructure restoration programs aimed at helping affected families rebuild their lives.