Mamata Banerjee visits landslide-hit Mirik, interacts with locals

“Those whose houses have been destroyed, we will take care of them,” said the Chief Minister during her interaction with local residents, directing officials to prepare a detailed list of damaged homes and properties.

The Chief Minister announced that a temporary bridge connecting Mirik to the plains would be rebuilt within 15 days to restore road connectivity that was snapped after the disaster. “Initially, officials told me it would take a month to construct the bridge, but after discussions, it was decided that the work must be completed within 15 days,” she added.

Banerjee further stated that a permanent, high-quality bridge at Doodhiya would also be constructed within a year. “We have decided to start an alternative bridge immediately so that communication is not disrupted. Our engineers are working on four to five damaged bridges in Mirik and Nagrakata simultaneously,” she noted.

Arriving in Mirik by road amid intermittent drizzle, the Chief Minister visited the families of those who lost their lives in the calamity and personally handed over compensation cheques. “When life is lost, no effort is enough. A house can be rebuilt, but a life once gone cannot be brought back. We are deeply pained by your loss,” Banerjee said while consoling the bereaved families.

Officials confirmed that the government has sanctioned Rs 5 lakh compensation to each family of the deceased. Those whose homes were destroyed are being provided with financial assistance and relief materials, including food, tarpaulins, and blankets.

In a significant announcement, Banerjee stated that one member of each bereaved family would be provided a government job as a special home guard within a month.

The Chief Minister instructed district authorities to set up special camps to help people reissue essential identity and welfare documents, such as Aadhaar, PAN, and ration cards, which were lost in the disaster. She also ordered the supply of schoolbooks and stationery for affected children. “These camps must continue for at least a month, not only in Mirik but in all affected areas,” she emphasized.

Banerjee further directed the local administration to keep community kitchens running until displaced families are able to return home. “No one should go hungry. The kitchens must continue until normalcy is restored,” she stressed.

During a review meeting, Banerjee expressed gratitude to state engineers and disaster management personnel for their tireless efforts to restore connectivity in the hills. She instructed them to expedite the repair of the landslide-affected Rohini road, a key route linking the Darjeeling hills with the plains.

The Chief Minister also revealed that the bodies of some victims from neighbouring Nepal and Bhutan had been recovered during rescue operations. “We have asked the Chief Secretary and the DGP to identify them properly and hand them over to their respective governments with full respect,” she stated.

Banerjee assured that farmers who suffered crop losses due to flash floods and landslides would receive compensation under the state’s crop insurance scheme.

Addressing the broader situation, Banerjee explained that heavy rainfall in neighbouring Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan had worsened the flood situation in north Bengal. “Geographically, Bengal is shaped like a boat. When it rains in the upper regions, water naturally flows down to our side,” she said, adding that the state’s relief agencies had been working relentlessly to cope with the disaster’s impact.

The Chief Minister held a virtual meeting with officials from the affected districts on Sunday, reached Siliguri on Monday afternoon, then travelled to Nagrakata before proceeding to Mirik on Tuesday. Banerjee was accompanied by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and senior officials from the Disaster Management Department during her visit.

At least 30 people were killed and several others injured in a series of landslides and flash floods triggered by torrential rains across north Bengal. The calamity disrupted road and rail communication and stranded hundreds of tourists.

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https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/mamata-banerjee-visits-landslide-hit-mirik-interacts-with-locals-23597617

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