Representatives of the Brahmaputra Board have asked officials of the Bengal irrigation department to submit specific proposals for approval of funds so that anti-erosion and flood protection tasks can be carried out on either bank of the Teesta river.

The board, which is headquartered in Guwahati, works for the conservation of rivers flowing through the Brahmaputra basin, including the Teesta. It functions under the Union jal shakti ministry.

At the 82nd meeting of the board that was held in Kalimpong on Wednesday, officials of the state irrigation department elaborated on the flash flood that had occurred on the Teesta in October last year.

“We mentioned how the flash flood led to the huge deposition of debris on the Teesta, which led to a rise in the river bed. Also, other issues like erosion caused by the river on its both banks were pointed out,” said Krishnendu Bhowmik, the chief engineer (northeast) of the irrigation department.

He said Ranbir Singh, the chairman of the Brahmaputra Board, had sought a specific proposal from them.

“We will discuss with Sikkim and submit a joint DPR (detailed project report) to the board so that funds are sanctioned to carry out these works in the Teesta,” Bhowmik added.

At the meeting, the officials also mentioned the DPR of ₹11 crore which was submitted to the board for carrying out flood protection works on the Teesta river bank in Mekhliganj near the India-Bangladesh border.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee had alleged that the central government didn't provide funds for anti-erosion works and dredging on rivers like the Ganga and Teesta.

At the meeting, representatives of the board said they intended to take up a project for the conservation of water flowing down through hilly streams in north Bengal so that it could be used for different purposes.

This made officials of the state irrigation department point out that these areas are under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and that the department cannot take up the task on its own.

“It was then decided that at the next meeting of the board, the GTA will also be invited
so that the project can be executed in the hills,” said a source.