SJDA-sponsored projects to be completed soon, says Asok

The state urban development minister and the chairman of Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Association Mr Asok Bhattacharya today said here that the SJDA was yet to achieve its intended development target in Jalpaiguri.

After a board meeting with the SJDA sub-committee in Jalpaiguri Mr Bhattacharya said that the agency is now keen to complete the ongoing projects in Jalpaiguri by January next year. “Several project works of the SJDA have been interrupted due to heavy rain and panchayat elections. The SJDA is now making all effort to complete the projects by January,” he said.

The SJDA is also targeting to complete upgrading the sports complex stadium and its drainage system in Jalpaiguri within December. “We are also developing a City Development Plan to identify the undeveloped sections and to initiate necessary measures for the district. A proposal to construct a flyover at number four railway crossing in the town is also under consideration,” he added.

The minister also emphasised on the development of the locked tea plantations and the backward areas of district like Mainaguri, Falakata, and Jaigaon. “A self-help group training centre would soon be inaugurated in Mainaguri. The SJDA is also considering a community water supply project for the Raipur and Shikarpur tea plantations that remain closed for long. The project would cost around Rs 20 to 30 lakh and hopefully prove helpful for those areas,” he added.

According to the minister, encroachment is hampering the proper development of the district. Mr Bhattacharya assured today to take personal initiative to facilitate the inauguration of the circuit bench in Jalpaiguri. “ I have requested the Jalpaiguri MLA Mr Deba Prasad Roy to keep in touch with me in this context,” he said.