NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks on the recent bridge collapse in Mirik. Targeting PM Modi, Banerjee said that Bengal is "not Gujarat," referencing the 2022 Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat, which claimed over 130 lives.
Banerjee highlighted the severity of the floods and landslides in North Bengal, which has claimed at least 32 lives, with several others missing, and thousands stranded.
“It has rained heavily across the country — just look at how many people have died in Uttarakhand. I won’t name other places, because I don’t play politics over natural disasters,” she said, adding, “I remember when a bridge collapsed during the Left Front government. See, there are bridges that have been standing for 100 to 150 years. We had already started building a new bridge in Mirik, and it will be inaugurated before the next monsoon. In the meantime, we are also constructing a temporary bridge, which will be completed in 15 days.”
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in the Darjeeling bridge collapse. He also said he is "closely monitoring" the situation and reaffirmed the Centre's commitment to providing assistance to all those affected.
The West Bengal chief minister also criticised the central government over alleged lack of support and resources. “You do not give funds to Bengal for flood relief . How does BJP make tall claims?” she said, while also taking a swipe at airfare hikes from Bagdogra to Kolkata. “You provided flood relief somewhere due to elections. You will fill your coffers for elections but you do not have funds for floods"
"But you raised the Bagdogra-Kolkata airfare to Rs 18,000; a flight ticket via Delhi costs Rs 40,000 now. This is a horrifying conduct of a horrifying government.”
Mamata Banerjee confirmed that relief operations are underway in the affected regions. “As far as the things here (flood-affected areas in WB) are concerned, I am sending all the relief materials. I sent 400 packets to Mirik yesterday. Kits are being sent to Nagrakata, Siliguri, Maynaguri, and Alipurduar. I have sent my Panchayat Minister. We are doing all relief works,” she said. She also met 21 displaced families and announced that 500 relief kits, including blankets, rice, dal, dry food, and milk, had been distributed. About 1,000 stranded tourists were safely evacuated in 45 buses.
Banerjee addressed attacks on BJP leaders Khagen Murmu and Shankar Ghosh while they were visiting flood-hit areas, noting, “I met him (Khagen Murmu), he is a little injured in his ears. But he is diabetic, so he is under observation. I wish him a speedy recovery.” She also condemned the assault on the TMC office in Tripura, with MP Saayoni Ghosh saying, “We condemn this…we are going to assess the situation and give a message to our workers that they are not alone.”
The chief minister said rehabilitation work is progressing with new roads being built in Rohini, a temporary bridge under construction in Mirik, and repairs ongoing at Nagrakata. She promised a personal visit next week to oversee the relief efforts.
“Next week I will be going again to oversee the relief work by myself. We will also have to make arrangements for the jobs we have promised (to the deceased) in the next 15 days,” she said.
Banerjee highlighted the severity of the floods and landslides in North Bengal, which has claimed at least 32 lives, with several others missing, and thousands stranded.
“It has rained heavily across the country — just look at how many people have died in Uttarakhand. I won’t name other places, because I don’t play politics over natural disasters,” she said, adding, “I remember when a bridge collapsed during the Left Front government. See, there are bridges that have been standing for 100 to 150 years. We had already started building a new bridge in Mirik, and it will be inaugurated before the next monsoon. In the meantime, we are also constructing a temporary bridge, which will be completed in 15 days.”
On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in the Darjeeling bridge collapse. He also said he is "closely monitoring" the situation and reaffirmed the Centre's commitment to providing assistance to all those affected.
PM Modi (@narendramodi) posts, "Deeply pained by the loss of lives due to a bridge mishap in Darjeeling. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The situation in Darjeeling and surrounding areas is being closely monitored in the wake of… pic.twitter.com/2XM8Ik6jM2
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 5, 2025
The West Bengal chief minister also criticised the central government over alleged lack of support and resources. “You do not give funds to Bengal for flood relief . How does BJP make tall claims?” she said, while also taking a swipe at airfare hikes from Bagdogra to Kolkata. “You provided flood relief somewhere due to elections. You will fill your coffers for elections but you do not have funds for floods"
"But you raised the Bagdogra-Kolkata airfare to Rs 18,000; a flight ticket via Delhi costs Rs 40,000 now. This is a horrifying conduct of a horrifying government.”
#WATCH | Bagdogra: On flood situation, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, "There can be anger at the time of flood and communal tensions. This will be cleared after the investigation...I went there but not with this type of convoy, only 2-3 cars with me. Also, I worked. I also… pic.twitter.com/rX3MOuNB2V
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2025
Mamata Banerjee confirmed that relief operations are underway in the affected regions. “As far as the things here (flood-affected areas in WB) are concerned, I am sending all the relief materials. I sent 400 packets to Mirik yesterday. Kits are being sent to Nagrakata, Siliguri, Maynaguri, and Alipurduar. I have sent my Panchayat Minister. We are doing all relief works,” she said. She also met 21 displaced families and announced that 500 relief kits, including blankets, rice, dal, dry food, and milk, had been distributed. About 1,000 stranded tourists were safely evacuated in 45 buses.
Banerjee addressed attacks on BJP leaders Khagen Murmu and Shankar Ghosh while they were visiting flood-hit areas, noting, “I met him (Khagen Murmu), he is a little injured in his ears. But he is diabetic, so he is under observation. I wish him a speedy recovery.” She also condemned the assault on the TMC office in Tripura, with MP Saayoni Ghosh saying, “We condemn this…we are going to assess the situation and give a message to our workers that they are not alone.”
The chief minister said rehabilitation work is progressing with new roads being built in Rohini, a temporary bridge under construction in Mirik, and repairs ongoing at Nagrakata. She promised a personal visit next week to oversee the relief efforts.
“Next week I will be going again to oversee the relief work by myself. We will also have to make arrangements for the jobs we have promised (to the deceased) in the next 15 days,” she said.
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