West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The new state government, Agnimitra Paul, visited her Asansol South constituency on Friday and held interactions with local residents, marking her first major public outreach after taking charge of the departments of urban development, women and child welfare.

Asansol, particularly in areas such as Bartanagar, Ranisayer, J.K. Nagar and Burnpur, she was welcomed by party workers and supporters with garlands and symbolic gifts, including lotus flowers. Addressing the gathering, she said she was committed to fulfilling every promise made during the election campaign.

Key focus of her speech was industrial pollution in the region. She raised serious concerns about emissions and untreated wastewater from factories affecting public health in industrial belts like Burnpur and surrounding areas. She alleged that many factories are not using proper pollution-control equipment, leading to widespread respiratory illnesses and even cancer cases in local households.

The minister stated that strict measures would be taken against industrial units violating environmental norms and emphasized that such conditions would no longer be tolerated. She assured residents that the government is determined to bring visible improvements in air and water quality across the industrial region.

Agnimitra Paul also addressed allegations related to post-election violence and displacement, stating that efforts are underway to ensure rehabilitation and return of affected individuals to their homes. She reiterated that the government is working to restore normalcy and provide support to those impacted.

Highlighting development priorities, she promised improved housing, sanitation, drinking water supply, and road infrastructure in underserved areas. She credited local support for her ministerial role and expressed gratitude to the people of her constituency.

One of the key announcements during her visit was the planned launch of a dedicated digital application aimed at addressing cleanliness and waste management issues. The proposed system will allow residents to report garbage and sanitation problems directly, enabling faster response and cleanup operations across municipal zones.

Political observers note that the initiative aligns with broader governance reforms being introduced under the Bharatiya Janata Party-led administration in the state, as competition over civic infrastructure and environmental issues continues to intensify in industrial regions of West Bengal.

The visit concluded with multiple public receptions across the constituency, where supporters reiterated their expectations for rapid development and stronger environmental safeguards in the coming months.