The proposed Balpahari Dam by the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), which is crucial to West Bengal in averting floods, is awaiting the state's green nod.
"The detailed project report for Balpahari had been sent to government of West Bengal for approval," DVC Chairman Andrew WK Langstieh told PTI.
West Bengal had blamed DVC for excessive water release for recent floods while Union Power minister Piyush Goyal had defended the corporation.
"Presumed Balpahari dam was in place this year, moderation of water release could have been to extent of maximum 65000 cusec against peak release of 95000 cusec this year so far," DVC manager Reservoir Operation S K Maji said.
So far flood had taken a toll of 120 lives and caused commercial damage to the tune of Rs 30000 crore in Bengal according to the state government.
Moreover, building the new dam is far cheaper and effective than dredging as persuaded by the state, Maji said.
The Balpahari dam would approximately cost Rs 2500 crore sans land cost, against dredging estimate cost of about Rs 10,000 crore.
The Centre had already said dredging of dam reservoir was not feasible.
"Instead of blaming DVC, state could have taken proactive role in clearing the project," officials said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had charged that DVC had caused loss of precious human lives and commercial damage to the tune of Rs 30000 crore in the floods, though the claim was dismissed by the corporation.
"The flooding was mainly due to the high tidal effects and Komen depression-related rainfall. The combined release on August 3 was 95,000 cusec, which is lower than the safe downstream channel carrying capacity of the Damodar river which is 1,10,000 cusec," DVC had stated earlier.
