Rs 2800 crore irrigation project to check flooding : Mamata

Burdwan (WB), Aug 6: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the state will undertake an irrigation project worth Rs 2800 crore with the help of World Bank to check flood fury.

"To undertake canal dredging in Burdwan, Hooghly, Bankura, East Midnapore and other south Bengal districts which face fury of flood every year, a large irrigation project will be taken up with the help of World Bank during next five years, Banerjee said at a meeting with district officials here.

The CM expressed displeasure over the frequent subsidence of land in the abandoned coal mine area of Raniganj-Asansol belt and asked District Magistrate Soumitra Mohan to ensure there was no recurrence of such incidents.

Banerjee also announced a slew of projects including setting up a 'Misti Bangla Hub' to promote indigenous sweets of Burdwan including langcha, mihidana and rajbhog - in the country and abroad.

She said 'Sabujsree' cards will be introduced for all newborns and 'Baitarani' project for the family of the dead at burning ghats. The CM, who expressed satisfaction over the pace of 100 days' work and midday meal in the district, warned against anyone indulging in promoting and extortion activities and said police will take strong action against any such element without seeing party colours.

PTI