Siliguri, April 16 -- Ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, residents of the Dabgram-Fulbari Assembly Constituency in Jalpaiguri district have intensified their demand for inclusion of developed areas near Siliguri under the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC).
Along with civic inclusion, residents have also called for stricter traffic regulations in several accident-prone areas.
Debojit Sarkar, a resident of Shantinagar said: "This area is developing and is very close to Siliguri city. If it is included under the SMC, we will get essential municipal facilities that are currently lacking. Along with this, strict traffic rules should be implemented to reduce accidents, as many incidents occur in this area."
The Dabgram-Fulbari Constituency comprises areas such as Fulbari I and II, and Dabgram I and II. Many of these localities-including Eastern Bypass, Ashighar More, Shantinagar, Binay More, Fulbari, Noukaghat, Kawakhali, Ambikanagar, etc.-are situated close to Siliguri city. Despite this, being under panchayat jurisdiction, residents claim they are deprived of several basic civic amenities. Locals allege that many roads remain in a dilapidated condition, while some areas still lack proper road connectivity. Irregular drinking water supply and absence of garbage collection services have further added to their woes, forcing residents to dispose of waste in other locations.
They also pointed out that the Eastern Bypass has become increasingly accident-prone, particularly at night, making commuting difficult. Residents stressed that strict enforcement of traffic rules is urgently needed.
Debolina Das, another resident of Fulbari, said: "We need municipal facilities. It is not possible for the panchayat to provide such a wide range of services. We need development and change in this region."
Earlier, during the 'Talk to the Mayor' programme organised by Mayor Gautam Deb, several residents had raised similar concerns. Following this, the mayor-who is also the Trinamool Congress candidate for Siliguri-took up the matter with the state government. The newly extended conference hall of the SMC has also been designed to accommodate more councillors in case the number of wards increases in the future.
Ranjan Shil Sharma, the Trinamool Congress candidate for the Constituency, said: "We are in the state government and the corporation. If we win the elections, I will try to fulfil the demand at the earliest."
Shikha Chatterjee, the sitting MLA and BJP candidate, said: "I have constructed some roads in the area. However, my powers are limited. If we win the elections and form the government, we will try to address these demands."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.