Government starts 23 projects in Siliguri

TT, 18 November 2019, Siliguri: The Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority under the Bengal government launched 23 projects here on Sunday with the inauguration spree being viewed as the Trinamul Congress's bid to cement its base in the town ahead of the civic polls next year.

The SJDA will spend over Rs 14 crore on the projects, which include construction of roads and culverts and improvement of drainage system in Siliguri.

State tourism minister Gautam Deb and SJDA chairman Bijoy Chandra Burman were present at the launch of the projects here on Sunday afternoon.

Deb, who unveiled the plaques of the projects, took a dig at the Left-run Siliguri Municipal Corporation for its alleged failure to ensure basic civic services in Siliguri.

"When an administrator ran the SMC about six years ago, the SJDA and the north Bengal development department together implemented infrastructure projects worth over Rs 700 crore. But the elected civic board here has not executed any development project and miserably failed to provide services to the residents. That is why we spoke to state municipal affairs minister and sought funds for the town again. He has allocated Rs 14.68 crore for 23 projects, all of which will be executed by the SJDA," said the minister.

The launch of several projects by the state government has further fuelled speculations that Trinamul is hellbent on securing majority at the SMC when elections will be held next year.

"The projects being implemented by the SJDA are related to basic services which residents of any town or city want. This clearly indicates that Trinamul has started playing the development card to outwit its political contenders in the civic polls," said an observer.

Trinamul had recently held protests in Siliguri, alleging that the SMC had failed to deliver services and that was there was a spurt in the number of dengue patients in the town. Trinamul also seized on Siliguri mayor and MLA Asok Bhattacharya's China tour during the dengue crisis.

The launch of the projects has, however, invited criticism from Bhattacharya.

"We came to know through the media that the SJDA will implement a number of projects in Siliguri. The authorities did not bother to seek the civic body's consent. Such things betray the vindictiveness of Trinamul and its minister towards the Left Frontrun SMC," said Bhattacharya.