Raiganj, Oct. 30 -- The announcement by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to set up the state's second AIIMS hospital at Dipnagar in Raiganj of North Dinajpur district has triggered a sudden rush among prospective land buyers, with real estate prices reportedly shooting up overnight in the surrounding areas.

Following the announcement by the Chief Minister in North Dinajpur on Thursday, the Bengal government wrote to the Centre requesting an inspection of the proposed land for the project at Dipnagar. Koushik Chowdhury, state Education minister and Raiganj MLA, said: "People living in the adjoining areas are extremely happy with the announcement. The AIIMS project will generate large-scale employment opportunities and boost the local economy. We have also learnt that members of the business community have started exploring opportunities to purchase land to establish commercial ventures in the area."

Meanwhile, people from different parts of North Dinajpur and neighbouring Bihar have reportedly started approaching farmers to purchase land near the proposed site, anticipating a major rise in commercial activities and property values.

More than 180 acres of land has reportedly been earmarked at Dipnagar, close to National Highway 12, around 10 km from Raiganj town, for the proposed AIIMS project. A major portion of the identified plot belongs to the government's land bank. However, some private land may also be required for the project.

Taking advantage of the proposed development, a section of the business community from Raiganj, Tungidighi, Karandighi, Dalkhola and neighbouring areas of Bihar has reportedly initiated negotiations with farmers to purchase land at Dipnagar and adjoining localities, including Sitgram, Panishala, Krishnamuri and Tetultola.

Uttam Roy, a resident of Dipnagar, said: "We own more than five bighas of land beside NH-12, close to the proposed AIIMS site. Once the hospital comes up, trade and commerce in this area will flourish, creating large-scale employment opportunities. Since the Chief Minister announced Dipnagar as the proposed site, people from Raiganj, Dalkhola and even Kishanganj in Bihar have been calling me, offering attractive prices for my land.

However, I have not responded to their proposals. Since Friday morning, I have stopped receiving such calls."

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.