West Bengal Government Approves 55 New Rural Roads in Kalimpong Amid Political Controversies

KalimNews, Kalimpong, November 1, 2025 : Kalimpong MLA Ruden Lepcha, on Saturday, announced the approval for the construction of 55 new rural roads across Kalimpong district, marking a significant infrastructure boost for the region. Speaking at a press conference, Lepcha highlighted the importance of these new roads in improving connectivity and facilitating economic development in the region.

In his address, Lepcha took aim at Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, accusing him of prioritizing political blame games over the region’s development. According to Lepcha, instead of facilitating the implementation of central projects for the hills, Bista had been “shifting the goalposts” and obstructing developmental initiatives. He claimed that despite Bista's efforts to block progress, the West Bengal government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, had made it possible to push forward with several key projects in Kalimpong.

“Even though MP Bista tried to block development works, we have successfully opened the doors of progress through the support of the West Bengal Government,” Lepcha asserted, underscoring the success of state-backed initiatives in the face of political opposition.

Lepcha expressed his satisfaction with the remarkable development that Kalimpong had experienced under the Mamata Banerjee-led government, despite facing several challenges along the way. He noted that, in addition to the 55 new roads already approved, 20 more are currently in the planning and approval stages, signaling an ongoing commitment to improving the region’s infrastructure. "We have been able to fulfill most of the promises made to the people in each constituency," Lepcha said. "With the active cooperation of the state government, development in the hills is moving faster than ever before."

Among the major infrastructure projects highlighted by Lepcha were the Rs 55 crore allocated for the Panbu-Kalijhora road, a crucial alternative route to National Highway 10, Rs 35.8 crore for the reconstruction of the Sangsay-Tarkhola road, and Rs 74 crore for the reconstruction of the Pedong-Kage-Lingsey road.

Lepcha took the opportunity to thank Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her leadership, crediting her for ensuring that the development of the region remained a balanced and comprehensive effort that met the needs of the people. He emphasized the vital role of Banerjee's government in improving connectivity and infrastructure in the otherwise remote hill areas.

The MLA also discussed the implementation of the 100-days guaranteed employment scheme (MGNREGA) in the region, claiming that MP Raju Bista had played a role in politically obstructing the program, which had previously faced disruptions. "Development projects under the 100-days scheme were disrupted due to his interference," Lepcha said. "However, following the direction of the Supreme Court, the scheme has resumed, and rural development will now gain fresh momentum," he added.

Further, Lepcha commented on the appointment of an interlocutor to address the long-standing issues concerning Darjeeling, the Terai, and the Dooars regions. He described this move as a reflection of MP Bista’s failure to effectively represent local concerns in Delhi. "The appointment of an interlocutor shows that Bista has failed to represent our issues in the Centre," Lepcha said. "It will take years for the interlocutor to even understand the problems—this is nothing but a waste of time."

The MLA’s remarks painted a picture of growing frustration within the region, with political tensions clouding what many view as an opportunity for growth and progress. While the approval of the new rural roads is seen as a major step forward for Kalimpong's infrastructure, Lepcha’s comments highlight the ongoing political friction and challenges in overcoming obstacles for development in the region.