MP Dev provides relief to Ghatal flood victims; questions master plan timeline

In a scene of desperation, flood victims in Ghatal were seen crying out for relief, struggling to find food and shelter amid the inundation. On Sunday, Ghatal MP Dev (Deepak Adhikari) visited the flood-affected areas to provide essential relief items. Accompanied by State Disaster Management Minister Javed Khan, Dev distributed dry food, water, and other essentials to the distressed villagers. Arriving early in the day, the MP traveled by boat to reach the most affected areas, where a large crowd gathered as soon as they saw him.

Speaking to the media, Dev expressed his concern over the recurring flood crisis in Ghatal. "The people here suffer every year. Many homes are still underwater, and there are families with children in dire need. We are doing everything we can to deliver food and relief quickly," he said. He also mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already sent a letter to the Central Government seeking assistance. "We need to focus on saving lives rather than political debates between the state and the center," Dev added.

Minister Javed Khan echoed similar sentiments, stating that the government had arranged for enough boats to ensure relief could be distributed efficiently. "Dev and I are here, along with our officers, to see that all needs are met," he reassured the public.

However, the conversation inevitably shifted to the much-discussed Ghatal Master Plan, an ambitious project intended to mitigate the flood problem. While Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently declared that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) was ready and that the plan would be completed in two years, Dev was more cautious. "I don't think this plan will be finished in two years," the MP remarked, explaining that several complexities, such as the silt-filled rivers, agricultural land, and markets along the riverbanks, would make the project challenging.

Dev stated that while the Chief Minister has promised the Ghatal Master Plan as part of her agenda, he remains skeptical about the timeline. "It's not an easy project, and it will take more than a couple of years to implement. If the work doesn’t begin by 2026, I won’t even campaign for it," Dev vowed. Despite the skepticism, he assured the public that the government is committed to making progress, with work expected to commence in January 2024.