Teesta Erosion: Mamata Urges Centre to Protect North Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called for immediate central-state collaboration to address the growing crisis of Teesta River erosion in North Bengal. The erosion has caused widespread damage, submerging around 50-60 homes, leaving hundreds homeless, and swallowing over 500 bighas of agricultural land, including vital infrastructure like schools and ICDS centers.

The Teesta, a 414-km-long river with a basin size of 12,540 sq km, has worsened in recent years, with heavy monsoonal rains raising water levels and causing significant land loss. This year alone, approximately 2,000 acres were eroded. The river’s erosion threatens critical infrastructure, including, the main highway connecting Sikkim and Kalimpong to the rest of India. Sections of NH10 have cracked due to landslides, raising further concerns about transportation safety.

Mamata Banerjee has demanded a comprehensive contingency plan from the Centre, stressing that the state’s efforts, including Public Works Department reconstruction, are insufficient. She highlighted the role of Sikkim’s hydroelectric plants, which hinder the river’s flow, exacerbating flooding and drought conditions in the region.

The erosion also poses a national security risk, potentially jeopardizing the Siliguri corridor, a key link between Bengal and the northeastern states, making the region vulnerable to external threats, particularly from China.