Kakdwip District is planned as part of a new administrative arrangement under CM Shuvendu Adhikari’s proposed Sundarban Model, alongside a deadline for CAA certificates and major development projects in South 24 Parganas.
Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata, October 24, 2026
New District Plan, Island Connectivity and Refugee Documentation Feature in Major Announcements
Kakdwip District emerged as a central announcement at a public service programme in Kakdwip, South 24 Parganas, where West Bengal Chief Minister Shuvendu Adhikari outlined plans to reorganise the Sundarban region, improve infrastructure and accelerate the issuance of citizenship-related certificates under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Addressing the programme at Kakdwip Stadium on Saturday, the Chief Minister said Kakdwip would eventually be upgraded from a subdivision to a separate district. He indicated that the administrative process could take time but stated that the government intended to complete the change within approximately two years. He also announced a proposed “Sundarban Model” aimed at connecting the region’s islands and improving access to public services for residents.
The announcements were made during a special public service initiative organised by the West Bengal government’s Sundarban Affairs Department, focusing on the overall development and welfare of people living across the region.
Kakdwip to Become a Separate District
Kakdwip subdivision currently comprises four blocks: Kakdwip, Namkhana, Patharpratima and Sagar. The proposed district would bring a new administrative arrangement to an area where island geography and transport difficulties can complicate access to government offices and essential services. Explaining the plan, Adhikari said the administrative reorganisation might not happen immediately, but the government intended to establish Kakdwip as a separate district. He also spoke of linking the islands through a broader development framework that he described as the “Sundarban Model”. The proposed model is intended to address the specific needs of communities spread across the Sundarban region. Improved connectivity, better delivery of public services and infrastructure development are expected to be important considerations in such an arrangement. However, the announcement does not itself establish a formal implementation date or confirm that all administrative procedures have been completed. The proposed district will require the necessary government decisions and administrative steps before the reorganisation can take effect.
Government Announces Funding for Development Projects
The Chief Minister also outlined a series of development measures for South 24 Parganas and criticised the previous government’s handling of public expenditure. dhikari claimed that the previous administration had allocated ₹600 crore for the 2025–26 financial year but had completed work worth only ₹200 crore. He further alleged that 80 per cent of the money spent had been misappropriated. These were allegations made by the Chief Minister at the public programme and were not independently established in the account provided. Adhikari said the current government had earmarked ₹1,200 crore for the region under an eight-month budget allocation. According to him, tenders had already been issued for 553 projects in the first phase, with work expected to begin following the end of the monsoon. He added that a second phase would include another 2,650 projects. The announcements indicate a proposed expansion of public works across the district, although the implementation and completion of individual projects will depend on the relevant administrative processes.
₹100 Crore for Embankments, Muri Ganga Bridge Targeted for 2029
Coastal protection was another major issue addressed at the programme. The Chief Minister announced an allocation of ₹100 crore for repairing embankments in the Sundarban region. Embankments are essential to protecting low-lying coastal settlements from tidal flooding, erosion and damage caused by severe weather. Their maintenance is particularly important for communities whose homes, farmland and livelihoods are vulnerable to the effects of the region’s geography. Adhikari also said that the Muri Ganga Bridge would be inaugurated by 2029. The project is expected to improve connectivity between parts of the Sundarban region and make travel easier for residents who currently depend on limited transport links. The bridge commitment and the proposed island-connectivity model are part of the broader development agenda presented at Kakdwip. Their practical impact will depend on construction progress, funding and the completion of the required work.
CAA Certificates: District Administration Given a Deadline
One of the most significant announcements concerned the issuance of certificates under the Citizenship Amendment Act. Addressing the issue, Adhikari distinguished between people who entered India seeking protection from persecution and those classified as illegal entrants under the applicable law. He said people who had crossed the border from Bangladesh to protect their lives and religion should be treated as refugees rather than automatically being described as infiltrators. The Chief Minister said he had instructed the District Magistrate of South 24 Parganas and the Sub-Divisional Officer of Kakdwip to accelerate the processing and issuance of CAA-related certificates for eligible applicants. He said he intended to visit Sagar after December 10 and return on January 10 to review preparations for the annual Gangasagar Mela. Before those visits, he directed the district administration to ensure that eligible applicants received their certificates as quickly as possible. Adhikari also referred to the Home Secretary’s role in monitoring the process. According to his statement, recipients would be able to apply for inclusion in the electoral rolls in January after receiving the relevant certificates. The announcement places responsibility on the district administration to process applications within the stated timeframe. However, eligibility for CAA-related citizenship benefits is governed by the applicable law and official procedures. The issuance of a certificate does not automatically guarantee electoral registration; applicants must also satisfy the relevant requirements for inclusion in the voter list. The distinction between refugee protection, citizenship eligibility and voter registration remains important, as each involves separate legal and administrative considerations.
Fresh FIRs Promised in Post-Poll Violence Cases
The Chief Minister also addressed allegations of political violence following the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections. Adhikari urged people who said they had been victims of post-poll violence to file fresh First Information Reports (FIRs). He promised that the government would pursue action against those found responsible. He said individuals accused of attacking people after the 2021 elections would not be spared. He also pledged action against those accused of misappropriating funds associated with Cyclone Amphan relief and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The statements were framed as a commitment to revisit allegations of violence and financial irregularities. Any criminal liability, however, must be determined through investigation and the applicable legal process. The announcements add a law-and-order dimension to the government’s programme in South 24 Parganas, alongside its plans for district reorganisation, infrastructure expansion and refugee documentation.
What the Announcements Mean for the Sundarban Region
The programme in Kakdwip brought together several issues affecting residents of the Sundarban region: administrative access, island connectivity, coastal protection, public spending and citizenship-related documentation. If implemented, the proposed Kakdwip district could change how residents access government services and interact with local administration. The “Sundarban Model” could also provide a framework for connecting island communities, although its precise structure and implementation details remain to be established. The announced funding for public works and embankment repairs, together with the target of inaugurating the Muri Ganga Bridge by 2029, highlights the importance of infrastructure in a region shaped by rivers, islands and coastal vulnerability. Meanwhile, the proposed deadline for processing CAA certificates will require coordination between the district administration and the relevant authorities. The process will need to follow the statutory eligibility criteria and prescribed procedures. For residents of Kakdwip and the wider Sundarban region, the key question will be how quickly these announcements translate into completed projects, improved public services and decisions on eligible applications. The programme has set out the government’s stated priorities. The next stage will be measured by administrative implementation, expenditure, construction progress and the delivery of the promised services.
