Trinamool demands probe by Centre into water crisis

Trinamool Congress on Thursday demanded a probe by the Centre into the breakdown of two sluicegates of Farakka barrage, saying it has led to flow of excess water to Bangladesh causing severe power and drinking water crisis in West Bengal and neighbouring states.

Raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour, party leader Sukhendu Sekhar Roy alleged that it was "criminal negligence" by Farakka Barrage authorities, who did not inform the state government that the two gates were broken last year.

As per the agreement between India and the neighbouring country, the water has to be shared in the ratio of 65:35, he said adding that after the breaches, Bangladesh started getting more than 80 per cent of the water.

"As a result of it, there is difficulty in navigation in Kolkata and Haldia ports...serious problem of drinking water in Kolkata, Haldia, Chandannagar and 35 areas because there is no flow of water from Farakka to Bhagirathi," Roy said.

Expressing concerns he said, "It has also affected power generation in NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) leading to serious power crisis in West Bengal, Bihar and other states."

He said one of the over 100 such gates was broken in June last year while another incident took place on December 9, 2011.

Roy urged the Centre that "the matter should be probed ...immediate action should be taken" against those responsible for the incidents.

Apprehensive of excess flow of water to Bangladesh due to breakdown of two sluice gates, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee last month had shot off a letter to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Banerjee's party in the past had also opposed Teesta water sharing agreement between India and Bangladesh.