Jalpaiguri/Siliguri, July 26 -- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is set to visit the historic Jalpesh Temple in Jalpaiguri on Monday to offer prayers, marking the first-ever visit by a sitting Chief Minister to the revered shrine. The visit, which also includes meetings with families of victims of the recent Sikkim tunnel tragedy and the expected inauguration of Siliguri's long-awaited Burdwan Road Flyover, has prompted elaborate security and logistical arrangements.
A high-level coordination meeting was already held at the Jalpesh Temple premises on Saturday to review preparations. The meeting was attended by Jalpaiguri MP Jayanta Roy, the District Magistrate, the Superintendent of Police, officials from the Chief Minister's security team, CRPF personnel, and representatives of the Fire Services, Electricity and Health departments. Security personnel later inspected the temple complex, including the sanctum sanctorum.
"The administration has completed all preparatory meetings ahead of the Chief Minister's visit. Along with the administration, the party is also making extensive arrangements," said Roy.
According to administrative sources, the Chief Minister is expected to land at Bagdogra Airport on Monday morning before travelling to Jalpaiguri. He will first visit the Jalpaiguri Circuit House to meet the families of workers who lost their lives in the Sikkim tunnel tragedy before proceeding to Jalpesh Temple, where he is expected to arrive shortly after noon. After offering prayers inside the sanctum sanctorum, he may interact with devotees and later address party workers at the Jalpesh Mela ground.
The visit has generated enthusiasm among the temple authorities. "This will be the first time a Chief Minister has visited our temple to offer prayers. We have made all necessary arrangements, including special prasad for the Chief Minister," said Girindranath Deb, Secretary of the Jalpesh Temple Trustee Board. BJP state general secretary Bapi Goswami said the party would formally welcome the Chief Minister at the Mela ground.
Preparations are also underway in Siliguri for the expected inauguration of the Burdwan Road Flyover later in the day. On Sunday, Siliguri Police Commissioner Syed Waqar Raza, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Kazi Shamsuddin Ahmed and other senior officers, inspected the flyover and reviewed security and traffic management plans.
The flyover, stretching from Airview More to Burdwan Road, has already undergone a successful trial run by the Traffic Police. A stage has been erected at Airview More for the inauguration ceremony. Officials believe the project will significantly ease congestion at Burdwan Road and Airview More, one of Siliguri's busiest traffic intersections, providing long-awaited relief to thousands of daily commuters.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.