Centre suggests WB seek external loan for Ghatal flood project, assures technical clearance

New Delhi: As floods continue to affect West Bengal’s Ghatal region, the Centre has indicated it has no free resources under its flood management programme to fund new projects, but has suggested that the state seek external assistance to finance the Ghatal Master Plan.

“We have advised the Government of West Bengal that if they want to pursue the Ghatal project, they are free to seek external funding from the World Bank, ADB and other agencies,” a senior government official said.

“We will support it. We are ready to give technical clearance when they need it,” the official said

The Centre pointed to the example of Assam, which recently secured external funding for a major flood mitigation initiative.

“The Assam government has taken a loan for a comprehensive project for the Brahmaputra. West Bengal can also follow a similar route,” the official said.

The suggestion comes as the West Bengal government grapples with widespread flooding in the Ghatal subdivision of the Paschim Medinipur district.

State Irrigation Minister Manas Bhuniya on Monday said nearly two lakh people have been affected in the recent deluge and accused the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) of exacerbating the crisis.

Bhuniya alleged that the DVC released water from its dams in Jharkhand without coordination, despite repeated pleas from the state.

The Ghatal Master Plan, which has been pending for years, includes a network of embankments, canals, and pumping stations aimed at preventing chronic flooding in the area.