A Kalimpong play ground is now a part of NH 717A

Nimbong Bazar, Photo by Krishna Gurung Courtesy  Hamro Sano Nimbong Bazar (Facebook page)

YOWAN MOTHAY, EOI, KALIMPONG, APRIL 11, 2023: With the strategic National Highway 717A passing through the Kalimpong district of West Bengal, the Nimbong playground has become a part of the under construction highway. 

The people of the area are now demanding that an alternative playground be setup in the area. Residents of Nimbong used to organize various games on the playground throughout the year and the old and the young people used to do physical exercises in the morning and in the evening. 

Now that the playground has been converted into a road, no initiative has been taken to set up an alternative playground though the residents of Nimbong had been making petitions to the National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation that an alternative arrangement should be made even when the plan for the highway construction had been unveiled. 

Suitable places near the Nimbong market have also been shown to the NHIDCL authorities to set up a playground, say residents. Land is available too.

N.H. 717A will connect the foothills at Bagrakot in north Bengal with Nathu La gate at Sikkim and is considered a road vital for the defence of the India – China border