Minister assures comensatory digging of lake in Ramsar site

In the face of objections by environmentalists over use of East Kolkata wetlands, a Ramsar site, West Bengal environment minister Sovan Chatterjee today said he was ready for discussion with all stakeholders for a fly-over project connecting Kolkata Airport to Science City.

The vital project requires construction of some pillars over the wetlands, which spans 12,000 hectares or 18 lakh cottahs, for which a 'miniscule' 10-12 cottahs will be used, according to the minister.

Chatterjee, also the city's Mayor, explained that the fly-over would save motorists 45 km of travel time and also avert congestion.

Speaking at an event of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board to mark the World Environment Day today, he said that the government was ready to hold talks with all stakeholders, including environmentalists, for the project to take off to "benefit everyone".

The minister said, "A 25-cottah lake could be dug up in the adjoining areas of the same mouza to compensate for the loss of 10-12 cottahs for the project, but let's take the Rs 550-600 crore project forward."

The fly-over is proposed to be executed by HIDCO, New Town Development Authority and the KMDA.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)