Private agency for Mirik makeover

BIRESWAR BANERJEE, TT, 23 Feb 2019I, Siliguri: The state municipal affairs department has engaged a private agency to draw up plans for infrastructure development of Mirik as part of its efforts to draw more tourists.

Around 50km from here, Mirik has been in discussion with political arena as it the sole hill town where Trinamul is in power at the civic body since 2017.

According to sources, the state has decided to take initiatives to create new facilities for tourists.

Among these include a sunrise viewpoint, a trek route, a ropeway ride, infrastructure for rock climbing and beautification in different locations of the town.

"Earlier, we had earlier prepared a detailed project report for development of Mirik. The estimated project cost was around 256 crore and we had it to the department on September last year. But the state felt that some more areas need to be covered and thus engaged a private agency to prepare a new report. We have come to know that the report is almost ready and will reach the de- Beautification of the park along the Sumendu Lake partment by next month," said L.B. Rai, chairman, Mirik Municipality.

Trinamul insiders said that ever since Trinamul has formed civic board in the town -- it is a nine-ward municipality -- the state has been focussing on the town and has made plans to improve its infrastructure.

"We want to drive home the point that it was a right decision by the residents of Mirik to choose most of our candidates at the civic elections. An array of develop- ment works would be carried out across the town and some of the projects, like improvement and landscaping of the Sumendu Lake, one of the principal attractions of the town, have already been initiated," said a party leader.

Observers said that as Mirik has provided the first foothold to Trinamul in the hills, the party wants to ensure that its support base is retained and is playing the development card.

In past one and half year, that is, after the statehood agitation of 2017, the strategy to emphasize on development and come up with new infrastructure has largely helped Trinamul to gain popularity in the hills.

Since formation of the civic board, the town has been illuminated with street lights, parks have been built in wards and financial assistances have been extended to people who are interested to run homestay accommodations for tourists.

For beautification of the lake and the park on its bank, a sum of Rs 3.85 crore has been spent and work is nearing completion. "We plan to inaugurate it on March," said Rai..