Title: Need to take steps to protect Murshidabad district in West Bengal from recurring floods.
SHRI ADHIR CHOWDHARY (BERHAMPORE, WEST BENGAL): Murshidabad district in West Bengal is situated between the two river systems. One is Ajay-Mayarasksi river system and the other is Ganga-Padma river system. Therefore, every year this district is destined to confront the onslaught from both the river systems as a result of which a large part of the district is destined to be inundated by flood and it has become a perennial problem. So far as district Murshidabad is concerned, erosion caused by Padama and Ganga has swallowed a large tract of the district. Last year, all the 26 blocks of this district got submerged by the unprecedented floods. Many plans are there which if implemented would reduce the intensity and duration of the flood. Since Independence “Kandi Master Plan” has been considered as one of such plans which may help to contain the frenzy of flood to a large extent. The cost of the plan was estimated to be Rs.50 crore. Instead of investing huge money in an ambitious project which often does not yield the desired result, it will be prudent to implement the outstanding projects which appear too small but give high yield. “Kandi Master Plan” proposed by Man Singh Committee should be implemented.