Unprecedented' package for tour hub bridge

BIRESWAR BANERJEE, TT, 26 July 2019, Siliguri: The Bengal government has rolled out an "unprecedented" compensation and rehabilitation package for 14 families living near Bhorer Alo, the mega tourism hub located at Gajoldoba in Jalpaiguri, for 5 acres to be acquired from them for the construction of a bridge.

The bridge, tourism minister Gautam Deb said, would be constructed over the Teesta canal and would connect Gajoldoba Road with the tourism hub that is located on the left bank of the waterbody.

Deb, who held a meeting with representatives of the families from Milanpally at his office in Siliguri on Thursday, said: "I met representatives of the families of Milanpally from whom we will ac- quire land and apprised them about the compensation and rehabilitation that the state will offer them. We have come up with an unprecedented package that includes everything from employment to alternative land to cash compensation. I doubt whether any other state government has ever offered such a package for any projectSince coming to power in 2011, the Trinamul government has so far acquired 1.18 acres in Bagdogra that has been handed over to the Airports Authority of India for expansion of runways and installation of an Instrumental Landing System.

However, that land had been marked when the Left Front government was in power, said sources.

"The Trinamul government only finalised the deal. Also, land was acquired for the The Teesta canal near the tourism hub in Gajoldoba where the bridge will come up. File picture construction of two Asian Highways, but it was done as per the Centre's land policy. This is the first time in north Bengal that the state has on its own come up with a comprehensive package to acquire land for its own project," said a source in the administration.

The package, according to Deb, includes: Job for one member of each family in the state tourism department Alternative land of equal amount to each family in a nearby area with land rights in their names Cash payment of Rs 1.50 lakh to each family in three instal- ments as per the homestay accommodation policy of the state. The families can set up homestays Cash payment of Rs 10,900 to each family for construction of toilets State to pay the expenditure to be borne by each family for shifting their belongings to the new location Cash compensation for each tree owned by the families as per the estimation of the state forest department Development of basic infrastructure such as roads, drinking water supply, drainage system and electricity in the area where they will be rehabilitated Portions of the land at the current site that will be left unutilised after the construction of the bridge will continue to be in possession of the respective families "There is a temple in the area where these families live now. We have decided to build a new temple at the place where they will be shifted. A small ground will also be developed in front of the temple, which will serve as a common space for them," said minister Deb.

Sources in the tourism department said the bridge was required for better access to Bhorer Alo.

A bridge that was built years ago by the state irrigation department over the canal is now used by visitors to the hub. "The irrigation department has said a second bridge should be built as vehicular movement will increase as the area develops and new tourist attractions and hotels start coming up. That is why we need to build the bridge over the canal. It will be around 125 metres long and will connect Milanpally on Gajoldoba Road to the hub," said an official.

Members of the Milanpally Bhumi Raksha Committee, who attended the meeting with Deb, said they were satisfied with the package.

"We have agreed to accept the package. We are in favour of development," said Badal Roy on behalf of the committee..