He also asked the Centre to quickly give clearance to the deep-sea port project in Kolkata.

During Wednesday’s meeting between Bhattacharjee and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia for the finalising of the annual plan for the state, it is learnt that the chief minister specifically sought the Planning Commission’s help to work out a separate master plan for the Sunderbans region in order to improve quality of life of people in the region.

While the quantum of funds was not discussed during the meet, it is learnt that the state government wants to approach the two international banks for funds.

While the World Bank funds would be used to develop general infrastructure in the delta region, the funds from the ADB, it is learnt, will be sought to develop the tourist infrastructure in the region.

The Centre, on its part, assured the state government that it would help in facilitating the state government to get the funds.

On the issue of the deep-sea ports, Bhattacharjee expressed his unhappiness on why the Union Shipping Ministry was delaying in “de-notifying” certain areas that come under the Kolkata Port Trust — which comes under the Centre.

The de-notification will enable the state government to move ahead with the port project through public-private partnership (PPP) route.