Monsoon flood preparedness leads West Bengal review of North Bengal infrastructure and road safety

The West Bengal government reviewed North Bengal monsoon flood preparedness, including early warning systems and plans for relief and rescue operations. Officials also discussed infrastructure development and steps to improve administrative services across eight districts. The government approved a North Bengal Development Department regional office at Gazole in Malda to coordinate works in three districts.

The West Bengal government on Friday announced decisions on monsoon readiness, flood control, infrastructure work and road safety. Officials said the steps were cleared at a high-level administrative meeting chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. The focus was north Bengal, where district administrations were asked to prepare for possible flooding and related disruption.

Officials said the meeting took place at Uttarkanya in Siliguri, which is the state government’s branch secretariat. Administrative officials from all eight districts of north Bengal attended the session. Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh briefed reporters afterwards and listed the main areas that were reviewed during the discussions.

Flood preparedness and monsoon review in north Bengal

Ghosh said officials examined the monsoon situation in detail and checked flood management plans. The review also covered how infrastructure work was progressing across different districts. Administrative services were also assessed, with the aim of making delivery more effective and efficient during the rainy season.

District administrations were instructed to improve early flood warning arrangements, Ghosh said. The same directions included quicker relief and rescue actions if flooding occurs. Officials said these steps were part of broader efforts to reduce risk during the monsoon and to respond faster when water levels rise.

Infrastructure development and North Bengal Development Department NBDD office

Ghosh said the government decided to open a regional office of the North Bengal Development Department NBDD at Gazole in Malda district. The minister said the proposed unit will help coordinate development works and administrative services. It will cover Malda, Uttar Dinajpur and Dakshin Dinajpur districts.

Road safety measures and North Bengal State Transport Corporation NBSTC surveillance

On road safety, Ghosh said the government agreed to tighten speed monitoring and surveillance in all buses run by the North Bengal State Transport Corporation NBSTC. The meeting also discussed removing accident barricades on national highways without delay. Another item was expanding CCTV coverage at Block Land and Land Reforms Offices BLROs.

Officials said the decisions were taken to address monsoon-related risks and day-to-day public safety issues across north Bengal. The meeting also linked district-level planning with wider infrastructure goals. Ghosh said the state aimed to improve coordination through the new NBDD regional office and stronger monitoring systems.

With inputs from PTI