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Faced with growing criticism over ineffective anti-erosion measures, the West Bengal government is considering alternatives like geo-textiles and interlaced concrete cagings to tackle the problem permanently. "Earlier, erosion used to be tackled by sinking boulders. That is not working. We want alternatives like geo-textiles and interlaced concrete cagings," Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta told reporters after discussing anti-erosion measures with Irrigation Minister Subhash Naskar and Relief Minister Mortaza Hossain. According to Dasgupta, bags made of geo-textiles and filled with sand or boulders are placed on the river bed. Being flexible, the bags can withstand tidal buffetings. While geo-textiles have been successfully tested along the Digha coast in East Midnapore district, concrete cagings have been successfully used at Haldia in the same district. Dasgupta said the government would decide within a fortnight on the use of geo-textiles or concrete cagings. "We want a permanent solution. Those bidding for the anti-erosion work would require to furnish a guarantee of the durability of the work." Stating that Rs 100 crore would be needed for the anti- erosion work in south Bengal, which is now experiencing heavy rains, he said another Rs 60 crore was needed to provide relief in the north Bengal districts facing a drought-like situation.
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