No point in keeping DVC, Maithan dam as they don’t have holding capacity, says CM Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has reignited her long-standing feud with the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and central dam authorities, questioning the very existence of major dams like Maithan and Panchet, which she claims have lost their water-holding capacity. Speaking amidst the severe flood crisis gripping the state, particularly the devastating aftermath in North Bengal, the Chief Minister asserted that the dams serve no meaningful purpose in flood management and actively contribute to the destruction downstream due to sudden water releases.

The Chief Minister’s strong remarks reflect her long-standing frustration, stating she has been highlighting the issue for two decades. She argued that the DVC, Maithan, and Panchet dams "don’t even have the capacity to hold water," rendering their existence pointless. She went on to suggest that the state might have been better off without them entirely, as the natural flow of water would have allowed pressure to be shared equally across regions, rather than causing concentrated devastation.

The focal point of her condemnation was the current crisis, where she specifically pointed out that the indiscriminate release of water through the Durgapur Barrage is destroying public infrastructure. The "force of the water," she explained, is powerful enough to be "destroying bridges and everything in its path," turning what should be a managed release into a destructive torrent that severely impacts the lives and property of citizens.

Shifting her focus to the humanitarian efforts in North Bengal, the Chief Minister offered a detailed update on the swift and extensive rescue operations for stranded tourists. She confirmed the successful rescue of approximately 500 tourists, who are being evacuated via a fleet of 45 Volvo and North Bengal State Transport Corporation buses. A dedicated facility for 250 evacuees has also been arranged in Siliguri.

However, the CM did confirm that one person from Diamond Harbour remains missing in a remote location, expressing deep concern for the individual. In a major directive aimed at easing the burden on those affected, the Chief Minister instructed all hotels in the affected zones not to levy any charges on stranded tourists, assuring that the government will cover all accommodation costs until the police can ensure their safe return home.