Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari reviewed the flood situation, development projects, pending land issues and disaster-management preparedness in North Bengal during an online administrative meeting held from Uttarkanya in Siliguri.
The meeting also covered the functioning of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), migrant workers’ issues and plans to strengthen Uttarkanya as a branch secretariat.
Malda Flood Situation Gets Priority
The flood situation in Malda received particular attention during the meeting. The Chief Minister spoke with the District Magistrate and senior officials and directed the administration to take necessary measures for relief and disaster management.
Officials were also asked to ensure coordination among agencies involved in handling the situation as the region faces increasing risks from floods and other extreme weather events.
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Pending Land Issues With Railways, BSF and Airports
A major part of the meeting focused on land-related issues involving the Railways, BSF and airport authorities.
Adhikari reviewed the difficulties faced by these organisations and discussed the role of the state administration in resolving pending matters. He stressed better coordination between departments and officials so that land-related issues can be addressed without unnecessary delays.
GTA Functioning Reviewed
The functioning of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) was another key agenda item.
Following the appointment of an administrator to the GTA, the meeting reviewed its administrative functioning and how ongoing activities and responsibilities would be carried forward.
The government also discussed disaster management in the hills and other parts of North Bengal, particularly amid changing climatic conditions and the growing incidence of flash floods.
Adhikari stressed the importance of coordination between the NDRF, SDRF, Army and other response agencies during emergencies.
Development Projects and Public Response
The Chief Minister also reviewed the implementation of decisions taken during the previous administrative meeting.
Officials provided updates from different districts, while the functioning of the North Bengal Development Department and the impact of completed development projects were discussed.
Adhikari sought feedback on how local residents were responding to projects implemented across the region, indicating a focus on assessing the ground-level impact of development work.
Uttarkanya to Get Stronger Administrative Role
The government plans to retain the North Bengal Development Department at Uttarkanya while strengthening other departments, with the long-term aim of developing it into a full-fledged branch secretariat.
The meeting also covered concerns related to migrant workers, along with participation from heads of various state government departments during the later part of the discussions.
The review comes as North Bengal continues to face challenges related to floods, extreme weather, infrastructure development and administrative coordination. The government’s focus on faster land resolution, disaster preparedness and stronger regional administration could influence the delivery of development and public services across the region.
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