New Delhi:Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil wrote to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday, saying the state officials were informed at every level about the release of water from Damodar Valley Corporation reservoirs, which was necessary to avert a major disaster. Earlier in the day, Mamata wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying her state will sever all ties with the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) as it had “unilaterally released water” leading to floods in south Bengal districts.
He claimed that 50 lakh people in Bengal have been affected by the floods and urged that central funds be sanctioned and released immediately to deal with the massive devastation caused by the floods. In his letter, Patil mentioned the West Bengal chief minister's concerns about floods caused by the release of water from DVC reservoirs. He informed that the release of water is managed by the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC), which comprises representatives from the Central Water Commission, West Bengal, Jharkhand and DVC.
Thousands of trucks stranded on Jharkhand-Bengal border
Thousands of trucks are stranded on National Highway 2 and National Highway 4 near the border of the two states after the Mamata Banerjee government of West Bengal allegedly banned the entry of heavy vehicles coming from neighboring Jharkhand. An official gave this information on Friday. Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Madhavi Mishra told reporters that trucks from Jharkhand were stopped at Dibudih checkpost in West Bengal. Mishra said, “We have taken a report from the Block Development Officer. Senior officials and Chief Minister Hemant Soren have been informed about this. Talks are going on at the government level.” Sunil Agarwal, head of the All India Transporters Welfare Association (East), said, “Thousands of trucks are stranded on National Highway 2 and National Highway 6. About 10 trucks from Maharashtra are stuck due to the closure of the border.”
Flooding in parts of West Bardhaman and Medinipur districts
Senior functionary of Federation of West Bengal Truck Operators Association (WBTOA) Subhash Bose claimed that Bengal has closed all borders with neighbouring Jharkhand since morning. Bengal police officials posted at Debudih checkpost claimed that the entry of trucks was banned on the instructions of senior officials. The Bengal government has reportedly banned the entry of trucks from Jharkhand in protest against the continuous release of water from Maithon and Panchet dams operated by Damodar Valley Corporation (a central government entity). The release of water has led to flooding in parts of West Bardhaman and Medinipur districts.
Water released on the instructions of Central Water Commission
Image Credit: India-Tv.