Siliguri, May 17 -- Renewing a long-standing administrative demand, BJP MLA Anandamay Barman urged the state government to declare Siliguri a separate district and proposed the formation of a new municipality in the Matigara area. The demands were raised during the first administrative meeting of BJP MLAs and MPs held at the State Guest House in the presence of officials from the Darjeeling district administration and Darjeeling MP Raju Bista on Saturday.
During the meeting, Barman highlighted the administrative challenges faced by residents due to Siliguri being divided between the Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts. He stated that the city's growing importance and population necessitate a separate district status for smoother governance and public services.
"There has been a long-standing demand to declare Siliguri as a separate district. If Kalimpong can become a separate district, then why not Siliguri? Earlier too, I had raised this demand in the Assembly and submitted a written proposal. I will again submit another written application soon," Barman said.
The MLA suggested forming a separate district comprising the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC), Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad and parts of Dabgram-Fulbari. Alternatively, he recommended creating a separate municipality covering Bagdogra, Matigara and Shiv Mandir areas.
If those proposals are not feasible, Barman suggested incorporating Matigara, Atharokhai, Shiv Mandir and Bagdogra into the Greater Siliguri Municipal Corporation limits.
"These areas have witnessed rapid development and require municipal facilities. However, they still fall under Gram Panchayats. Therefore, I raised these issues and hope the demands will be fulfilled at the earliest," he added.
The demand for a separate district has persisted for years, as residents of Siliguri often have to travel either to Darjeeling or Jalpaiguri for official work, making administrative processes time-consuming and inconvenient.
Apart from municipal restructuring, Barman also demanded that Naxalbari, Phansidewa and Kharibari police stations be brought under the jurisdiction of the Siliguri Police Commissionerate instead of remaining under the Darjeeling Superintendent of Police.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.