West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee (File photo/PTI)
NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday accused the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) of “deliberately” releasing water without prior intimation to the state government, triggering a flood-like situation in parts of south Bengal during Bijoya Dashami (Vijayadashami) celebrations on October 2.Also Read: Centre rejects Mamata Banerjee’s allegation of ‘deep conspiracy’ to flood Bengal, says water released scientificallyIn a strongly worded post on social media, Banerjee slammed the alleged discharge of 65,000 cusecs of water as “reckless” and “shameful,” saying it put “millions of lives in Bengal in immediate peril.”“Bijoya Dashami marks the close of Durga Puja — a time for joy, cheer and renewed hope. Yet, instead of allowing the people of West Bengal to conclude the festival in peace, the DVC released water without any prior notice to the state. This reckless act is nothing short of an attempt to inflict misery during our sacred festivities,” the Trinamool Congress chief wrote. Calling it “unilateral action,” Banerjee warned, “I will not allow anyone to carry out a Bisarjan (immersion) of Bengal. Every conspiracy against our people will be resisted with full force. Truth will prevail over deceit and good will triumph over evil. Joy Maa Durga!”According to state officials, the water released from the Maithon and Panchet reservoirs flowed into the Durgapur barrage and downstream stretches, sparking fears of inundation in parts of Bankura, Purba Bardhaman, Howrah and Hooghly districts. The district administrations have been put on alert to monitor vulnerable riverbank areas.Also Read: 2 Bengal officials resign from DVC over water release row The DVC, a central government agency, has not responded to the allegations. In the past, it has defended such discharges as “technical requirements tied to inflows and dam safety.”Banerjee has often accused the DVC of floodwater “mismanagement,” citing inadequate dredging and poor coordination with the state government. Established in 1948, it is an integrated power producer with a command area of 24,235 sq km across West Bengal and Jharkhand.
