Bengal to construct 50 km of concrete bunds by 2016

The West Bengal government has decided to construct 50 kilometres of concrete embankments in the state, which often breach during monsoon, according to state irrigation minister Rajib Banerjee.
Banerjee today told the question hour session of the state Assembly that already the government had constructed 21 kilometres of concrete bunds in the Sundarbans, which was badly affected by tropical cyclone Aila in 2009.
On supplementary questions raised on flood control measures taken by the state government, Banerjee said that a master plan had been prepared to combat flood in north Bengal in collaboration with the Brahmaputra Board.
Regarding steps taken to tackle erosion of the Padma and the Bhagirathi in Malda district, he said that the government had sought fund from previous UPA-II government but that was not provided.

Banerjee said that a meeting was held recently with the concerned authorities of the present government and it was expected that some funds would be released by the Centre.
Regarding dredging of rivers, he said, that was beyond the financial capability of the government because of limited resources.