Mamata Warns PM Modi of ‘disengagement’ with DVC over Bengal floods, BJP retaliates strongly
PTC News Desk: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) of causing devastating floods in the state by releasing an unprecedented 5 lakh cusecs of water, leading to widespread damage across several districts. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, Banerjee expressed her concerns, blaming the DVC's unplanned and unilateral release of water from the Maithon and Panchet dams for the flooding.
"I would like to draw your kind attention to the fact that as a result of an unprecedented, unplanned, and unilateral release of nearly 5 lakh cusecs of water from the combined system of Maithon and Panchet dams, all districts of South Bengal — Purba Bardhaman, Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum, Bankura, Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Medinipore, and Paschim Medinipore — have been plunged into devastating floods, causing severe miseries to the common people," Banerjee wrote.
She further claimed that the floods, affecting more than 1,000 square kilometers of land and nearly five million people, were the worst the region has faced since 2009. Banerjee emphasized the significant crop loss, destruction of public infrastructure, homes, and livestock.
Banerjee attributed the flooding to what she described as a "man-made disaster," accusing the DVC of prioritizing power generation over flood control. She criticized the DVC's shift in focus and highlighted the impact it has had on West Bengal's flood management, calling the situation an act of neglect.
In her letter, Banerjee also mentioned the lack of progress on the Ghatal Master Plan, a project meant to address the region's vulnerability to floods, which she said has been ignored.
The Chief Minister warned that if the DVC continues with its "unilateral approach," the West Bengal government would be forced to completely "disengage" from the DVC, withdrawing the state's participation in its operations. "We cannot allow this ongoing injustice to affect our people year after year," Banerjee asserted in her letter to the Prime Minister.
Leader of the Opposition in Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, sharply criticized Mamata Banerjee's threat to cut ties with the DVC. Adhikari warned that such a move would have severe consequences, saying, "If Mamata Banerjee cuts ties with the DVC, eight districts will lose power. Doesn’t she realize that DVC-run power plants supply electricity to a significant portion of South Bengal?"
Adhikari’s statement reflects growing political tension as both sides spar over the state’s handling of the flood crisis.
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- With inputs from agencies
