Bengal govt wants JCC for Farakka barrage maintenance

Replying to a question in the state assembly, Irrigation Minister Manas Bhuniya expressed concern over the way the gates of the barrage were being maintained by the Farakka Barrage Authority.

Stressing the need for a joint coordination committee, Bhuniya said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has spoken to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while state's Irrigation Secretary Tushar Ghosh would soon meet his counterpart in New Delhi to discuss the issue.

"Almost 33 of the 112 gates in the barrage got damaged. Six of them were being replaced and the rest would be replaced in phased manner by Farakka Barrage Authority," Bhuniya said.

"About 12,000 cusec water leaked out of the damaged gates daily. However, it did not affect the state's requirement," he said.

Bhuniya also regretted that hardly 25 per cent of nearly Rs 70 crore central funds to Farakka Barrage Authority for anti-erosion measure and prevention of floods were utilised.

Replying to a supplementary, Bhuniya said that heavy rains in some districts of North Bengal in last three days have created a flood-like situation. Steps were being taken to protect people, he said.

The state government would soon discuss the matter with the Centre to study Hydrological behaviour on the movement of different rivers with the help of satellite picture and draw plans to combat floods accordingly, he said.