Siliguri, July 27 -- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday inaugurated the long-awaited Road Over Bridge (ROB), connecting Air View More and Jhankar More on the Burdwan road in Siliguri, on his way back from Jalpaiguri to Kolkata.
Addressing the gathering at the inauguration programme, Adhikari described North Bengal as the "gateway to Northeast India," stressing on the strategically vital location popular as the Chicken's Neck, connecting the North East states with mainland India.
"The previous state government's confrontational approach towards the Centre had hindered development and raised security concerns.The present government is strengthening both development and security by allocating land to the Border Security Force (BSF) according to requirements and substantially increasing funding for North Bengal" stated the Chief Minister.
"A sum of Rs 2200 crore has been earmarked exclusively for the development of North Bengal. Grants to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) have been increased, ten ministers have been assigned to oversee North Bengal, and seven roads have been transferred to the National Highways Authority," he added.
He further announced that land has been provided for the Hili-Cooch Behar railway project; Hasimara Airport will be developed for commercial operations; Land will also be allotted for the expansion of Bagdogra Airport.
"The state government and the Railways will jointly construct 500 road over bridges, with the Railways bearing the larger share of the expenditure," stated Adhikari.
Adhikari also said that most government departments would gradually be functional at Uttarkanya, the mini secretariat, enabling residents of North Bengal to access government services without having to travel to Kolkata for routine official work.
CM highlighted a series of key infrastructure projects planned or under implementation in North Bengal, including Bagdogra Airport Development Project; Redevelopment of New Jalpaiguri (NJP) Railway Station; Siliguri Elevated Highway Corridor, NH-717A; Jaldhaka-Bindu Highway; The Siliguri Ring Road; Alternative six-lane Coronation Bridge corridor; Darjeeling alternative highway; Darjeeling-Lebong-3rd Mile Circular Road; Matigara-Mirik connectivity project; upgradation of Rohini Road and the Gorakhpur-Siliguri Expressway.
Adhikari also held a meeting with a GNLF delegation comprising of president Mann Ghising; Niraj Zimba and NB Chettri at Uttarkanya, Siliguri.
"We were called for the meeting. The meeting revolved around all round development of the Hills and the issue of GTA. I would not like to disclose everything.
However as the GTA has not been repealed yet, till it is there and a new arrangement is not in place, the GTA has to run. We apprised the Chief Minister that a non-political person should be appointed as administrator in the GTA. Overall the meeting went on well" stated Zimba.
The North Bengal Development Department Minister Nitish Pramanik along with Darjeeling Lok Sabha MP Raju Bista were present at the CM's meeting with the GNLF.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.