West Bengal: Government urges Railway Board to stop Shramik Special trains till May 26 in view of Amphan – Mumbai Mirror

Kolkata: Almost after 48 hours the West Bengal government on Saturday called the Army for restoration of the situation post cyclone Amphan. The state government has also written a letter to the Railway Board, urging them to stop all trains carrying migrants till May 26 due to extensive damage caused by the cyclone.

In a letter written by the West Bengal Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha to the Chairman of Railway Board, VK Yadav, the government said, The state has been severely impacted by Super Cyclone Amphan on May 20-21 which caused extensive damage to the infrastructure.

Photo: Debajyoti Chakraborty

Meanwhile, the state Home Department said the state government is mobilizing maximum strength in unified command mode on 247 basis for immediate restoration of essential infrastructure and services asap. Army support has been called for; NDRF and SDRF teams deployed; Railways,Port and private sector too requested to supply teams and equipment. Drinking water and drainage infrastructure getting restored fast. Generators being hired where necessary.

Photo: Debajyoti Chakraborty

In a tweet, the state Home Department said, More than a hundred teams from multiple departments and bodies working for cutting of fallen trees, which is the key to restoration of power in localities. WBSEDCL and CESC asked to deploy maximal manpower, even while lockdown significantly affects the deployment potential of the latter. Police on high alert.

Relief and other measures by Bengal governmentWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in an administrative meeting in South 24 Pargana's most affected area Kakdwip area that The devastation and damage in the state amounts to one lakh crore loss. She said, Relief must reach people of the state immediately. There will be no compromise in this regard.

She also asked the administration to supply water pouches till water supply is restored in the state.

Mamata Banerjee expressed apprehensions that COVID-19 cases might increase now in post-Amphan situation. Post-Amphan, the damage and destruction is more serious condition than COVID-19, she said.

In South 24 Parganas alone, 45,000 electric poles have overturned. We have to reconstruct them again. We will focus on rebuilding the houses, Banerjee said. She urged people to take care and be patient.

More people should be engaged in 100 days work. More locals should be deployed and they should be utilized to clear the trees and contribute in the management of disaster, Mamata said.

Meanwhile, three columns of army have been deployed in Kolkata. The army already started removing trees in Rabindra Sarobar area, which fell due to Cyclone. Known to be the green zone of Kolkata and it has a huge number of trees. It is learnt that ten more NDRF teams are coming to West Bengal to help the state government on request.

Protests over power and Electricity disruption across West BengalProtests over power supply and water have been witnessed across the state, including Kolkata.

Citizens across Kolkata, from South to North in Jadavpur, Behala, Baishnaghata, Garia, Kasba and several others demanded power restoration and water supply after cyclone Amphan. The protesters claimed there was no water and electricity for the last three days.

A tree fell on our house. The house is damaged and we cannot enter the house because of it. The tree has not been cut after three days and we dont even know what is stuck below the tree, said Amit Sahu.

EM Bypass, the main lifeline of the city, was blocked by protesters. CESC authority has assured to restore power by tomorrow, Kolkata Mayor said. Many trees were uprooted and many have become homeless.

Photo: Debajyoti Chakraborty

CESC said power connection have been affected and there are all effort to restore it. Due to lockdown there were limited number of workers.

We have children and elderly persons at home. There is no water supply, not even drinking water. So we have blocked the road in our locality Baisnabghata and demanding immediate restoration of power, Mita Das said.

Not only Kolkata, people blocked Kalyani Expressway protesting in Nadia district demanding restoration of power and water supply.

Meanwhile, BJP and TMC activists clashed with each other on E M Bypass, after BJP state President Dilip Ghosh was prevented by police from travelling to Amphan affected districts of South and North 24 Paragans. Police said he cannot travel due to prevailing lockdown situation.

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West Bengal: Government urges Railway Board to stop Shramik Special trains till May 26 in view of Amphan - Mumbai Mirror