Fog Stops CM’s Helicopter from Landing in Kalimpong; Adhikari Announces October 6 Visit

KalimNews, Sept 3, 2026, Kalimpong: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s much-anticipated first visit to Kalimpong was disrupted by adverse weather conditions after his helicopter was unable to land in the hills because of dense fog. The Chief Minister, however, continued with his scheduled administrative engagements after returning to Siliguri and later addressed the people of Kalimpong virtually from Uttarkanya.

Adhikari had arrived at Bagdogra and subsequently proceeded by helicopter towards Kalimpong. According to the Chief Minister, the pilot made repeated attempts to land and tried for nearly 10 minutes, but the prevailing foggy conditions made a safe landing impossible. With the helicopter’s fuel becoming limited, the pilot was compelled to turn back and return to Siliguri.

The failed landing meant that Adhikari could not make his first physical visit to Kalimpong during his ongoing tour of North Bengal. He was scheduled to hold administrative meetings with officials and local representatives to review monsoon preparedness and discuss a range of developmental and disaster-management issues, with particular emphasis on the Teesta River and areas affected by the monsoon and natural disasters.

After reaching Siliguri, the Chief Minister proceeded to Uttarkanya, where he conducted a virtual administrative meeting and interacted with people and representatives from Kalimpong. He expressed his appreciation to the Kalimpong District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police for making the necessary arrangements at short notice..

Adhikari also thanked Darjeeling MP Raju Bista for putting forward what he described as positive proposals concerning the development of the hills. He said Minister of State for Home and Hill Affairs Bishal Lama had been given full authority to function as the government’s coordinating representative in matters requiring coordination in the hills.

The Chief Minister announced that the state government had sanctioned a grant for establishing a medical college in Kalimpong. He said that he would return to Kalimpong on October 6, 2026, travelling by road, and that the Bhumi Pujan ceremony for the proposed district medical college would be held during that visit.

The October visit, he indicated, would also include his participation in a programme of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) as well as a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) party programme.

A major announcement during the virtual meeting concerned disaster-management funds for Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. 

Adhikari instructed Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Principal Secretary of the Disaster Management and Civil Defence Department, to ensure that ₹254 crore earmarked for disaster management in the two districts is handed over to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). The funds for disaster management in Darjeeling and Kalimpong will be transferred to the GTA, which will subsequently manage and utilize the funds.

The Chief Minister said that the development of the GTA must continue with increased financial support from the state government. He stated that the grant being provided to the GTA would be double the previous amount, stressing that development work in the hills should not be allowed to slow down.

Adhikari also appreciated Kalimpong MLA Bharat Chettri for putting forward several proposals aimed at accelerating development in the district. He said such proposals would be considered in the broader process of taking forward development activities in the hills.

On the functioning of the GTA, the Chief Minister stated that the GTA’s new Administrator would function in consultation with the Sabhasads who had not resigned. He also referred again to the earlier discussions concerning the proposed Permanent Political Solution (PPS), including the meeting held by Union Home Minister Amit Shah with various stakeholders. 

Until the PPS is formally enacted, he said, the existing arrangements would continue to function.

The Chief Minister further reiterated the state government’s position on allegations of corruption within the GTA. He said that a preliminary investigation had already been completed and that further action would follow wherever irregularities were established. He referred specifically to issues involving Jal Jeevan Mission-related activities, teacher recruitment and the functioning of all 11 boards, including the Tribal Boards representing communities such as the Lepcha and Tamang communities.

Adhikari said that investigations would continue and that action would be taken against those found responsible. He further stated that arrests could follow wherever warranted and that money allegedly taken or misappropriated would have to be recovered and returned.

A number of welfare and development measures for Kalimpong were also highlighted during the Chief Minister’s virtual interaction.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, as many as 8,325 houses are to be constructed for homeless people in Kalimpong who possess their own land but do not have proper houses. The government has also sanctioned assistance of ₹3 lakh each for 73 families affected by the Teesta disaster.

Adhikari stated that 2,18,503 eligible applicants from Kalimpong under Ayushman Bharat would receive health insurance cards. Those who remain outside the coverage of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, he said, would be brought under the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima scheme so that eligible residents are not deprived of health coverage.

He further stated that genuine beneficiaries would be enlisted under the Annapurna Bhandar scheme and provided the benefits available under the programme.

The Chief Minister also encouraged people to take advantage of the rooftop solar electricity scheme, stressing the importance of renewable energy and greater participation in such initiatives.

During the virtual programme, representatives from different sections of Kalimpong interacted with the Chief Minister and raised issues concerning their respective sectors. Participants included representatives of the hotel industry and tourism sector, members of families of martyrs associated with the Gorkhaland agitation, and other sections of civil society.

The interaction provided an opportunity for representatives from Kalimpong to place their concerns, suggestions and development-related proposals directly before the Chief Minister despite his inability to reach the district physically.

Adhikari said that it was the responsibility of the government to work for the happiness and welfare of the people, create employment opportunities, strengthen education, promote development and ensure that citizens receive necessary facilities and services. He reiterated that the BJP government would continue to work for the development of the hills.

The Chief Minister concluded by confirming that his next visit to Kalimpong would take place on October 6, 2026, when he plans to travel to the district by road and attend the Bhumi Pujan of the proposed Kalimpong District Medical College, besides participating in scheduled political and public programmes.

Several hill leaders had already reached Kalimpong by road in anticipation of the Chief Minister’s visit. Among them were Kalimpong MLA Bharat Chettri, other MLAs, an MP and Minister of State for Home and Hill Affairs Bishal Lama, who had assembled to participate in the scheduled meetings and discussions.