New Bagdogra terminal before '24: Bista

SNS, SILIGURI, 09 APRIL 2022:  Darjeeling's BJP MP Raju Bista today said he plans to 'gift' a new terminal at the Bagdogra Airport to the people in the region by 2024, the year his tenure as the MP ends.

Expressing his desire to serve the people in Darjeeling as an MP within his five year-term, Mr Bista said: "As the state government, despite the delay at the initial stages, has finally handed over the required land to the authorities concerned, the process for the proposed new terminal has started and the construction work till start shortly. My aim is to ready the project before completing my tenure as an MP"

"I have already thanked CM Mamata Banerjee for finally handing over the104 acres of land required for the much-needed expansion of Bagdogra Airport. I ant happy to sham the good news with our people that the central government has enhanced the budget for Bagdogra Airport to Rs 1312 crores. The tender for architectural and engineering consultancy services is being prepared and the work is expected to commence in the next six months," Mr Bista told reporters here today.

According to him, the Centre has also sanctioned Rs 1000 crore for the development of the Balasan- Sevoke Army Cantonment elevated highway corridor project. "I am happy to share the news that the tendering process for the same will begin soon, and work is expected to start within the next quarter. It will help ease traffic congestion in Siliguri, Darjeeling More, Matigara, Khaprail More, 2-mile, and Salugara belt," he said.

The construction of a new bridge, an alternative to the Coronation Bridge over the river Teesta, will also start a few months after the Ministry of Road and Transport begins the construction of the road, according to the MP who is also one of the BJP's national spokespersons.

"Our government has sanctioned around Rs 1100 crore for an alternative to the Coronation Bridge. The project is currently in the phase where the tender for the 'project management consultant' is underway. This project is expected to begin three to four months after work starts on the Balasan Sevoke road project," Mr Bista said.

Speaking on the Hills, Mr Bista said: "An honest Indian Gorkha can demand a separate state and their demand is justified."

Coming down heavily on the Trinamool Congress state government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's decision to conduct elections to the Gorkhaland Territorial administration (GTA) ,Mr Bista said, "Stakeholders as well as the people have rejected the GTA in 2017. As it is an illegal body, the state is illegally trying to keep control overt he Hills through the GTA. Why was the state not interested in rural polls in the Hills as there is no elected rural body there since 2005?"

"We came to know that the state had an intention to resolve the Hill issue permanently and politically If so, why is Miss Banerjee now interested in GTA polls? Though it was not officially decided in the party, the party may not take part in the GTA elections," Mr Bista said, adding, "My party and the central government has been working on a Permanent Political Solution and we hope that it would be good for the people of Darjeeling, the Terai and the Dooars as well as the state of West Bengal," he added. Mr Bista admitted that Home Minister Amit Shah would visit West Bengal on an official tour, but that his schedule was yet to be finalised. According to the MP, M r Shah would also hold a meeting with party leaders in South Bengal and North Bengal.