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Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
To battle floods, Bengal govt to start Teesta dredging soon
1 2 3 Jalpaiguri: With the bed of the Teesta rising around two metres following the 2023 Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in Sikkim, Bengal govt has decided to dredge and desilt the river. The GLOF at North Sikkim's South Lhonak Lake in Oct 2023 had significantly impacted the Teesta riverbed with massive silt deposit. Experts fear that if the river is not desilted immediately, a heavy downpour in the upper catchment areas might spell doom for the areas the Teesta flows through. The rising river has already washed away two villages — Laltong and Chamakdangi — in Jalpaiguri's Rajganj block. At least 200 families from the two villages have been relocated to Kholachand Fapri. Bengal govt has decided to engage West Bengal Mineral Development and Trading Corporation Ltd (WBMDTCL) and the irrigation department to desilt some 30 spots on the Teesta from Sevoke railway bridge to Maynaguri's Bakali, across 50 km. "It would be a no-cost-effect dredging and the state will gain revenue by selling the sand and riverbed material," said irrigation minister Manas Bhunia in Jalpaiguri on Thursday after a meeting with departments concerned. A survey by the irrigation department estimates that it would cost about Rs 567 crore to desilt the Teesta if private agencies are involved. "Centre has not given a single penny since 2016 for desilting or bund repairing. This year, Centre has allocated only Rs 412 crore for the entire country's flood management. We, therefore, have decided to desilt Teesta on our own," Bhunia said. The minister also advocated for an India-Bhutan river commission. "There are 76 rivers originating from Bhutan which spell catastrophe for the Dooars every monsoon. They bring along dolomite, raising riverbeds by 4-5 feet. A joint river commission is the need of the hour but Centre is paying no heed to our appeals," he said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bengal cabinet approves construction of ₹680 crore solar power plant at Goaltore
Kolkata: The West Bengal Cabinet on Wednesday approved the construction of a 100 MW solar power plant at Goaltore in Paschim Medinipore district, Irrigation Minister Manas Bhunia said. The estimated cost of the project is ₹680 crore. "Of this, the state government will contribute 30 per cent - amounting to ₹205 crore - while the remaining ₹475 crore will be invested by a German company partnering in the initiative," Bhunia said. "The Cabinet today decided to build another 100 MW solar power plant in Garbeta Block No 2, Goaltore, in Paschim Medinipore. The state government is giving special importance to environmentally friendly power generation," Bhunia added. The Cabinet also decided to recruit more than 100 civic volunteers for the inaugural programme of the Jagannath Temple in Digha on April 30, a source said.
