Kalimpong to get series of footbridges for easy commute

Amitava Banerjee |  MP | 25 July 2018 | Darjeeling: During her visit to Kalimpong in May, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had stressed four key areas for the development of the Hills. 

Taking a step forward, the Kalimpong Municipality has decided to build a series of footbridges to help pedestrians commute freely and ease traffic in Kalimpong town. 

Mamata Banerjee addressing an administrative meeting in Kalimpong on May 20, had asked the district administration, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration(GTA); the Hill Municipalities and the development Boards to concentrate on drinking water, sewage system, solid waste management and roads for the next two years for the benefit of the locals and scores of tourists visiting the Hills. 

The Kalimpong Municipality has taken up a project to build a series of footbridges in and around the town. A survey is underway. After the survey, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared and sent to the Bengal Government.

"Around 6 locations have been earmarked from Kalimpong Municipality Building to Haat Bazar area. As most people in the Hills commute on foot in and around town, the footbridges (over bridges) will definitely be a boon for pedestrians, specially school students and senior citizens," stated Ravi Pradhan, Chairman, Kalimpong Municipality. 

The areas earmarked are in front of the Municipal Building, Thana Danra, Damber Chowk, Girl's High School, CK Chowk and Haat Baazar.

"Survey work is on. As there is not much land available in the town we will have to consider building metal (steel) bridges instead of RCC," stated Kiran Rasaily, Architect, who has undertaken the survey work and will be preparing the DPR. Rasaily had constructed the over-bridge in Gangtok, Sikkim in 1987. 

"Over-bridges for pedestrians have been a long standing demand of the residents of Kalimpong even before Kalimpong had become a district. As vehicular traffic has increased manifold, students and the elderly are highly accident prone, specially during rush hours," stated Anand Mishra, a local resident. 

Kalimpong was declared a full fledged district on February 14, 2017.