November 16, 2018
With Centre reneging on its promise, State Govt takes up Ghatal Master Plan
One of the most important projects of the Bangla for relief from floods, the Ghatal Master Plan has been hanging fire for a long time because of the Centre’s reluctance to release its share of the cost. The latter had given administrative approval to the project in 2015.
Initially, the Centre was to give 75 per cent of the project cost, which totals to Rs 1,214.92 crore. Later, it decided to slash its share to 50 per cent, telling the State Government to come up with the fund for the remaining 50 per cent.
Still, the fund has not been released. As a result, the State Government has decided to start the project in phases. After all the Trinamool Congress Government has always stood firm in its commitment to the people of Bangla, and the ravaging floods in that region are an annual feature.
In the first phase, starting from November 13, the desilting of Palaspai Canal will be carried out at a cost of Rs 73 crore. With its completion, residents of Daspur-1, Daspur-2, Ghatal and Panskura blocks will get respite from floods. The rest of the work will follow.
Source: Millennium Post
