Need "Civic Consciousness": Mamata Banerjee After Kolkata Deluge

Kolkata:

Following six hours of unprecedented rainfall in Kolkata that caused severe flooding, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee partially attributed the situation to improper waste disposal on streets, which she explained interfered with the drainage infrastructure, and called for increased civic responsibility among residents. She also addressed a family's demand for Rs 5 lakh compensation following their relative's rain-related death, suggesting they share some responsibility in the incident.

"An effective drainage system must be established. Many citizens dispose of garbage directly in front of drains. We need to revive civic consciousness among people. The Salt Lake area is particularly affected by waste and construction materials from Metro work. The Metro authorities were requested well in advance to clear these materials before the Puja celebrations," she stated.

"If proper drainage infrastructure isn't maintained, it's impossible for us to manage everything alone. We're providing Rs 2 lakh to families who lost members yesterday. One family has requested Rs 5 lakh, but they too must acknowledge their part in this responsibility," Banerjee added.

Ten fatalities were reported from Tuesday's post-midnight rain-related incidents. Residents awoke to flooded streets and continued heavy rainfall. Transportation systems across air, road, and rail remained disrupted throughout the morning.

Ms Banerjee criticized power utility CESC for negligence regarding electrocution deaths in Kolkata and surrounding areas. However, the distribution company has denied responsibility, claiming these incidents were unrelated to their network.

"When I visit Navanna, I monitor water levels in the Ganga. Recently, I observed the river overflowing and investigated why so much water was being released. I learned that water from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh is also flowing here," Banerjee explained today.

"If they [the DVC] provided this information to us in advance, we could take preventive action. Unfortunately, they fail to do so," she concluded.