North Bengal Steps Up Flood Preparedness Ahead of Monsoon : Pramananik Stressed the Importance of Coordination with the GTA

KalimNews, May 26, 2026, Siliguri :  With the monsoon season approaching, North Bengal Development Minister Nisith Pramanik convened an emergency flood preparedness meeting at Uttarkanya in Siliguri on Tuesday, bringing together district magistrates from all eight districts of North Bengal, irrigation department officials, MPs, MLAs from both ruling and opposition parties, and representatives of multiple disaster management agencies.

Officials from the BSF, SSB, NDRF, irrigation department, and other administrative bodies participated in the meeting, which focused on strengthening flood control measures, identifying vulnerable areas, and improving coordination among departments before the onset of heavy rains.

North Bengal Development Minister Nisith Pramanik on Tuesday also stressed the importance of political unity and coordination with the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) while addressing a high-level emergency flood preparedness meeting at Uttarkanya in Siliguri ahead of the monsoon season.

Describing it as an essential administrative partner in tackling flood-related challenges in the hills and adjoining regions. He added that agencies such as the NDRF, BSF, and SSB would work closely with the state administration to ensure a faster and more effective response during emergencies.

The meeting brought together district magistrates from all eight districts of North Bengal, irrigation department officials, MPs, MLAs from both ruling and opposition parties, and representatives of multiple disaster management agencies.

Officials from the BSF, SSB, NDRF, irrigation department, and other administrative bodies participated in the meeting, which focused on strengthening flood control measures, identifying vulnerable areas, and improving coordination among departments before the onset of heavy rains.

Speaking after the meeting, Minister Pramanik said that the administration has already begun work on its annual flood management action plan and that all ongoing projects and schemes related to flood protection will be accelerated on an emergency basis, as the monsoon is now less than a month away. Alongside existing projects, additional protective measures will also be introduced to minimize damage in flood-prone regions.

The meeting included detailed discussions on the condition of major rivers and vulnerable locations across North Bengal. Special attention was given to hill areas such as Mirik and other regions that suffered severe damage during previous monsoons. The minister recalled that last year’s floods were intensified by heavy inflows of water from Sikkim, Bhutan, and the hill catchment areas, affecting several parts of North Bengal.

Emphasizing the need for unity during natural disasters, Pramanik stated that development and disaster management should rise above political differences. Referring to relations with the GTA, he said that “during politics there will always be politics, but when it comes to development, everyone must work together.” He added that the government would cooperate with all elected representatives and administrative bodies within its capacity to solve people’s problems.

The minister further said that in a democratic country, every individual and elected representative has the right to express their opinions freely, and the administration is willing to listen to everyone. “As long as people come forward with an open heart for development, our doors are open to them,” he remarked.

Invoking the idea of “Ram Rajya,” Pramanik said the government follows the ideals of senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and believes in treating everyone equally, irrespective of political affiliation. He said elected representatives, even from opposition parties, would receive equal cooperation from the administration if they work in the interest of development and public welfare.

According to the minister, one of the major concerns in the past had been the lack of proper communication and coordination among departments and agencies. He expressed confidence that this year, better planning and cooperation would help resolve many of those issues.

To strengthen monitoring during the rainy season, control rooms will be established in every district of North Bengal. In addition, the North Bengal Development Department will operate a separate central control room to keep constant watch on the overall flood situation throughout the monsoon period.

The government is also considering long-term strategies to address recurring floods and natural disasters in the region, with a focus on improving infrastructure, river management, and inter-departmental coordination across North Bengal.