Tamang project push before polls

VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, 28 Feb 2019, Darjeeling: Binay Tamang, chairman of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), on Wednesday said the hill body had completed projects to the tune of Rs 500 crore in the last one-and-a-half years.

Tenders for plans worth nearly Rs 500 crore would be floated soon, Tamang added.

With the Centre likely to announce the Lok Sabha dates soon, Tamang is racing against time to inaugurate projects and lay foundation stones. While political issues will definitely play a role in shaping the results of the Lok Sabha elections, development activities is also bound to consolidate voters at the local level. "So far we have completed projects worth around Rs 500 crore in the past one-and-half years. I am not being able to inaugurate all the projects and officials are also inaugurating projects at their own level," said Tamang in Darjeeling.

Of the Rs 500 crore, Tamang said that Rs 178 crore was allotted under the state plan and the rest of the funds had come from various ministries of the state government and also from central projects.

Tamang was appointed to the GTA in September 2017.

Earlier during the day, Tamang inaugurated 10 projects worth around Rs 11 crore at Glenburn, about 20 kilometers from Darjeeling.

The projects includes steel GTA chief Binay Tamang in Darjeeling on Wednesday bridge at Pubong, Lamahatta Primary School, sub-health centre at Singritam, Teesta Bridge High School, Peshok Garling Primary School, a community hall at Rangli, among others. Tamang will on Thursday inaugurate the newly constructed building of Indira Ojha Higher Secondary School at Mangarjung, about 40 kilometers from Darjeeling. On March 4, a newly con- structed tourist spot at Meghatar, about 45 kilometers from Darjeeling will also be inaugurated, said Tamang. The spot has been created at a cost of around Rs 13 crore, sources said.

With elections round the corner, Tamang wants to showcase the work he has been able to complete during his tenure before the election model code of conducted bars such functions.

"Tenders to the tune of nearly Rs 500 crore will also be floated soon," said Tamang.

The leader said that after taking charge he had handed over 9 roads to the state PWD for better maintenance.