Work with Rs 500cr for Ghatal Master Plan started: Irrigation minister
The Statesman | 9 August 2025
Coming down heavily on Suvendu Adhikari for speaking lies about the Ghatal Master Plan, which has caused confusion among the people of the area, Dr Manas Bhuniya , state irrigation and waterways minister said work worth Rs 500 crore on the project has already begun.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has allotted Rs 1055 crore for the Ghatal Master Plan.
Dr Bhuniya said Mr Adhikari knows very well that Mr C R Paatil, Union Jal Shakti minister has said it would not be possible for the Centre to give money for the project. “Mr Adhikari during his visit to Ghatal had said the Centre will allot funds for Ghatal Master Plan if voted to power in 2026. This is a blatant lie. He should talk to Mr Patil. He is speaking garbage of lies just to confuse the people of Ghatal. As a Trinamul Congress leader he used to look after the state irrigation and waterways department and knows the situation very well. But despite that he continues to tell lies,” he said.
Dr Bhuniya added: “Around 90 per cent of the construction of five sluice gates along river Rupnarayan has been done and work has to be slowed down for the time being because of heavy rains. Had the rains not been there, the construction of the sluice gates would have been completed. Tender has been floated for the construction of two pump houses. The DPR for the proposed Ghatal Master Plan has been prepared.”
He said to improve the drainage system in Ghatal Municipality covering 16 wards, the engineers of the state irrigation and waterways department held meetings with their counterparts in the municipality.
Dr Bhuniya regretted that “Chief minister Mamata Banerjee had met the Prime Minister four times and sought his intervention to clear the Ghatal master Plan. More than 10 letters have been written and the engineers of the irrigation and waterways department met their counterparts in the Jal Shakti ministry. However, everything stopped after discussion at the Central Flood Control Commission. It is most unfortunate that the Centre has allotted Rs 435 crore only to control floods in different states,” he said, adding, “Ghatal Master Plan is a victim of Centre’s indifference but rest assured we are going to complete it,” he maintained.