State govt to rebuild destroyed property in hills: Mamata

Prashant Acharya, EOI: Forest bungalows and other government properties that have been destroyed in the Darjeeling hills and the Dooars will be renovated by the state government, said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee this evening before wrapping up her five-day tour of North Bengal and heading back to Kolkata.

She said, “The government bungalows that were destroyed by Gorkha Janamukti Morcha supporters at Jaldhaka and other places in the Darjeeling hills will be renovated and given a makeover.”

The chief minister said her government has several projects in the pipeline for developing the tourism sector of North Bengal. Talking to media persons at the Bagdogra airport, Banerjee said the state government has declared a tax holiday for Bagdogra airport to attract more airline companies.

Commenting on the proposed Bagdogra-Kathmandu service, she said it would be a wonderful gift for domestic and foreign tourists, but the service should face any obstacle once its kicks off. Banerjee also said airliners have stopped night landing services at Bagdogra citing lack of passengers.

The chief minister alleged the Airport Authority of India is not paying attention to ramp up services at the Bagdogra airport and upgrade its infrastructure. Further, she announced Rs30 crore has been sanctioned for the renovation of the Cooch Behar airport.

Banerjee went on to state residents of North Bengal will not need to visit the Writers’ Buildings in Kolkata for finance-related issues henceforth as the state finance department will be setting up an office at the Uttarkanya mini-secretariat.

When asked for her comments on the BJP’s victory from Darjeeling, the chief minister said, “I will not answer any questions related to the BJP, hence please do not expect any answers from my side.”

She also warned the local media against publishing and airing false news stories failing which she would not interact with them in future. According to Banerjee, some local media houses have erroneously stated jungle safaris in the Dooars have stopped altogether.

“The safaris are available and visitors to the Dooars can take pleasure in such rides,” concluded the chief minister.”