March 20, 2015
WB CM writes to PM for immediate intervention in Farakka Barrage repair
West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee has written a letter to the Prime Minister for immediate intervention after Gate number 49 at Farakka Barrage in West Bengal suddenly collapsed on March 15, 2015, leading to the free flow of water down the barrage through that opening.
The State Power Minister Manish Gupta and Irrigation Minister Rajib Banerjee visited the Farakka Barrage site and spoke to the officials.
The State is passing through a critical period, when availability of water is on the lower side but demand is peaking up. The farmers are facing dire consequences with low supply of irrigation water.
The West Bengal Irrigation Minister had already written to the Union Ministry of Water Resources, informing about the grave situation.
Collapse of more gates will adversely affect movement of barges carrying goods, municipal water supply, power generation, livelihood of people employed at Haldia and Kolkata Ports can be severely hit in case of any dislocation in water supply to Bhagirathi.
