Mirik, Kalimpong municipalities to get water projects under Amrut 2.0

PRASHANT ACHARYA, EOI, SILIGURI,  NOVEMBER  2, 2022: The Mirik  and Kalimpong Municipalities have got approval under the ongoing Amrut 2.0 Mission for the supply of enhanced drinking water in these two municipalities, Darjeeling M. P. Raju Bista said on Wednesday. 

He said one water supply project for Rs 199 crore had been approved for Mirik Municipality and another for Kalimpong Municipality for Rs 197 crore. Of this amount, the Centre would extend Rs 93.5 crore and Rs 92 crore as grant to Mirik and Kalimpong municipalities  respectively, he said. 

On August 11 last, Bista met Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri and requested him to approve AMRUT 2.0 Mission projects to provide tapped drinking water to all the households in Kalimpong and Mirk Municipalities. 

He requested the Minister to ensure that people from the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars were not deprived of drinking water facilities due to the inordinate delays caused by the West Bengal Government to execute projects. 

Ironically, even after receiving the highest rainfall in India, the towns of Darjeeling and Kalimpong were suffered from an acute shortage of water, Bista said. He requested the civic bodies to ensure proper utilization of the funds.

“In addition, the Centre has initiated multiple "Har Ghar Jal" projects that will cover each and every house hold in our rural regions. These projects are being implemented by the GTA in the hill regions of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts,” Bista said.

“I request the local communities to keep an eye on these projects as these projects are meant for the benefit of all of you. It is important that we take ownership of the various projects initiated by the Centre from the very beginning and ensure that the quality of the work being undertaken is maintained to the highest standards."