Triveni to get a facelift

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, 7 February: The GTA has decided to develop Triveni, the confluence of the Teesta and Rangeet rivers, into a pilgrimage destination by erecting statues of Hindu Gods and setting up a Sanskrit school for Brahmins.

The GTA chief executive, Bimal Gurung, said on Sunday that the project that entailed an investment of Rs 150-200 crore would be one of the biggest investments by the hill body.

"We will develop Triveni and the project will be called Teesta Aarati. Even though the detailed project report is being prepared, we are looking at pumping in Rs 150 to Rs 200 crore. It would be one of the biggest GTA investments on a single project," Gurung said.

The project, according to him, includes setting up of statues of Hindu gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. "There will be a spot where aarati (prayers) can be conducted. We will also set up a Sanskrit school where 250-300 Brahmins can study. The school will be complete with a hostel for Brahmins," said Gurung.

The GTA chief said an old age home would also be set up at Triveni.

"Once the place is developed, Triveni can be a new pilgrimage destination in the hills. Tourists travelling between Sikkim and the Darjeeling hills can easily visit the place. There will be a lot of economic opportunities for the local people," said Gurung.

Triveni is in Darjeeling subdivision and 16km from Kalimpong. Tourists travelling between Darjeeling and Kalimpong stop to see the confluence of the two rivers.