The state irrigation department has asked its divisional officials in Bengal’s three coastal districts — East Midnapore, North and South 24-Parganas — to send detailed project reports on the permanent concrete embankments that will replace those weakened by cyclones Amphan and Yaas.

Sources said the initiative was taken after chief minister Mamata Banerjee directed the department to build permanent dykes and criticised officials for spending money on repairing earthen embankments in the aftermath of Yaas.

The department has already identified a combined stretch of 193km along the Bengal coastline to build concrete dykes. “We have around 193km stretch of earthen embankment that has been found weak. All divisions have been asked to send detailed project reports. We will allot funds according to the finance department’s approval. We may complete the tasks in phases,” state irrigation minister Soumen Mahapatra said.

Irrigation officials said this was the first time since Mamata came to power that such a massive drive had been undertaken to repair embankments.

“If we get the funds at the right time, we will start work after the rainy season,” said a senior irrigation department official in South 24-Parganas.

Kalyan Dey, executive engineer of Kakdwip irrigation division, said: “We have sent proposals to build embankments along a 55km stretch and are waiting for approval.”

ONGC relief

NGO Sandeshkhali Maa Saroda Women and Rural Welfare Society with ONGC’s aid on Saturday handed over battery-operated vans to eight victims of Cyclone Amphan at Sandeshkhali and Hingalganj blocks of the Sunderbans.