Mamata back in flood-hit north Bengal for next 10 to take stock of recovery efforts

CM Banerjee was in north Bengal for four days from October 5 to oversee the relief work.

The CM will, during the day, visit Hasimara in Alipurduar district, where she will chair a high-level review meeting before touring multiple districts, including Darjeeling, to assess the extent of the damage, the officials said, adding she is expected to stay a few days in the region.

Banerjee is also expected to assess the DVC’s Maithon and Panchet facilities, having previously blamed the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for causing the floods through water release.

Addressing media persons at the Kolkata Airport, Banerjee outlined her packed agenda and commitment to the region’s recovery. “Today, I will visit Hansimara in Alipurduar and hold a review meeting with everyone to assess the extent of the damage. After that, I will stay overnight in Hasimara, since it is not possible to travel through the hills at night. Tomorrow, I will visit Nagrakata and a few other areas nearby. By the time I finish, it will be night and then I will return to Uttarkanya. I have to hold a review meeting. I will return to Kolkata on Friday,” the Chief Minister said.

“The next day, I will visit Mirik, where the disaster occurred and then go to Darjeeling, where I will stay for one night because I have to hold a review meeting covering both Darjeeling and Kalimpong, Mirik also falls under Darjeeling district. Then I will return to Uttarkanya the following day,” Banerjee added.

While she detailed her administration’s relief and reconstruction efforts, Banerjee also promised that a temporary bridge in Mirik would be ready in 7-8 days.

“Reconstruction work has started in the affected areas of North Bengal… Those whose houses were damaged will have their houses rebuilt. Work has started in the Rohini area and will be completed in 5–6 days. The bridge that collapsed in Mirik will be repaired in 7-8 days. Relief has been delivered to the disaster-hit areas. People will not face any difficulties,” Mamata said. She confirmed that connectivity is being restored, noting, “Through Tindharia and Pankhabari one can go to Darjeeling.”

Officials said a preliminary assessment report has been prepared, indicating that around 12,000 houses have been damaged, of which nearly 6,000 have completely collapsed in the disaster.
The figures are, however, yet to be officially confirmed or released, they said.

Chief Minister Banerjee also announced plans to recognize the efforts of personnel during the crisis. “Those who have worked commendable during the disaster, from the Civil Defence to the Fire Brigade, will be presented with awards,” she said.

The Chief Minister also discussed bureaucratic challenges post-disaster, highlighting the “Amader Para Amader Samadhan” (APAS) initiative. She said the programme, allocating Rs 10 lakh per booth (totalling Rs 8,000 crore), would extend beyond November 6 due to documentation needs in affected areas.

“Our target was to hold 31,700 booth-wise camps. So far, we have completed 28,300 camps, which is almost 90%, attracting 2.5 crore visitors. The programme received 3.58 lakh schemes and 2.84 lakh schemes have already been delivered. The tender process has started for 1.86 lakh programmes, and 100 programmes have already been completed. We have received 94.7 lakh applications, of which 77.4 lakh (81%) have been processed. The APAS camps in the affected areas are being extended to cover the remaining ones,” she said.

However, the chief minister’s tour has sparked political controversy.
Opposition parties have launched fundraising drives to support victims of the north Bengal disaster.

Leader of Opposition in State Assembly Suvendu Adhikari criticised the visit as a luxury getaway, stating the Chief Minister was enjoying a break amidst people’s hardship.

“The Hirak Rani who was dancing silently to celebrate the carnival festival during the difficult times of the people of North Bengal, which was devastated by torrential rains and landslides, will now go on a short trip to the mountains for fun and luxurious leisure,” he said.

He also claimed that police personnel were busy arranging and displaying party flags along the roads instead of focusing on relief work. “The police force, who were not found on the ground during the natural disaster or the day after, are busy ensuring that the Trinamool flag is properly hoisted to welcome her before her visit!! The contribution of Mamata Police in terms of responsibility or service to all the people lost due to the wrath of nature is immense. The NDRF and Indian Army jawans were there as saviors,” the senior BJP leader said.

Senior CPI(M) leader Biman Bose indirectly blamed “unregulated and rampant construction” in the hills for aggravating the loss of lives and property.

Countering the allegations, TMC spokesperson Arup Chakraborty said BJP’s criticism stemmed from AC-room politics, predicting BJP would lose seats in North Bengal.

“Those who sit in AC rooms, travel by AC cars and visit affected areas for photo-shoots always give such big dialogues. People of Bengal have witnessed for years now that the person who ultimately stands with them in times of trouble is Mamata Banerjee,” Chakraborty asserted.

“That’s why BJP still struggles to establish a foothold in Bengal. Mark my words that will lose seats in North Bengal too,” he added.

Banerjee is expected to return to Kolkata via Siliguri on October 16, concluding her North Bengal tour assessing relief and reconstruction post-floods and landslides.

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