Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari flags loss of 5,000 ponds under TMC rule, targets civic body

Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday accused the Trinamool Congress of allowing 5,000 ponds in Kolkata and its adjoining areas to be filled in during its tenure, warning that the loss of these water bodies had caused significant environmental harm.

He made the allegation at an event in south Kolkata’s Kudghat to mark the restoration of two ponds. He also called on voters to elect the BJP to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, arguing that coordination between the state government and the civic body was crucial to improving public services and safeguarding the environment.

The chief minister said the state government was seeking to revive neglected urban spaces and improve environmental conditions in densely populated neighbourhoods.

The two waterbodies in Kudghat were restored at a cost of around Rs 5.79 crore and Rs 3.59 crore, respectively, he said.

"The previous government and its councillors filled up 5,000 ponds, from Joka-Haridevpur to Barasat-Madhyamgram," he alleged.

Notably, The Telegraph Online has been reporting threats to the ecologically sensitive wetlands around Kolkata.

Adhikari said the ponds had earlier been in a deplorable condition, with foul smells making life difficult for residents in the surrounding areas.

Their restoration would improve the local environment, he said.

The projects would also include plantation, fish cultivation and beautification of the surrounding areas, he said, stressing that residents of neighbourhoods neglected in civic planning were equally entitled to better public amenities.

The chief minister named the two restored waterbodies 'Shiv' and 'Shakti', and expressed hope that the state government and the KMC would work together in the future.

Adhikari also said the BJP government was working to attract investment and create employment opportunities in the state.

He cited the inauguration of a new five-star hotel in New Town earlier in the day.