Pranab to urge PM to include Keleghai-Kapaleswari Master plan

West Midnapore, July 14 (UNI) External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said he would urge Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tomorrow in New Delhi to include the Keleghai-Kapaleswari Master Plan with a budget of Rs 76 crore 82 lakh in the ongoing 11th Five Year Plan.

Mr Mukherjee was addressing a review meeting on flood situation of this district in general and Ghatal and Sabang, the two worst -affected blocks, in particular.

Earlier, he took an aerial survey of flood situation in Ghatal, Sabang and Pingla.

District Magistrate B P Barat, Paschim Midnapur Zilla Sabhadhipati P B Baske, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Manas Bhunia and other senior district and Panchayat officials were present in the meeting.

''Before discussing the matter with the Prime Minister, I will request Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today to prioritise the Keleghai-Kapaleswari and Ghatal Master Plan and send it to the Planning Commission,'' Mr Mukherjee said.

At the meeting, Mr Bhunia said Sabang's century-old flood problem could be solved only by implementing the Keleghai-Kapaleswari Master plan.

''This year, the two rivers have already taken two lives and inundated 284 km in 13 gram panchayats of Sabang, affecting 2,21,000 people and damaging 12,950 houses. The project, when completed, will permanently solve the flood problem in Sabang and seven other blocks, benefitting more than 28 lakh people,'' Mr Bhunia added.

UNI