Bengal’s ruling party Trinamul as well as its principal political rival, the BJP, have planned to underscore infrastructure developments that have given a boost in connectivity in north Bengal, as they reach out to the urban lot ahead of the Assembly elections.

“Unlike in rural areas where we would emphasise on how the ruling Trinamul has deprived people from central-run social welfare schemes, we will highlight the major infrastructure projects which have been taken up in the region as we approach the urban lot. New four-lane roads and bridges, changes in railway infrastructure and connectivity, would be elaborated during campaigns,” said a senior BJP leader in Siliguri.

During the past few years, north Bengal has witnessed some important infrastructure developments which have improved connectivity in the region and is likely to give it a further boost in the coming days. Among these include road and rail bridges, a new rail route to Bangladesh (the first in the region) and two Asian Highways connecting three international borders. Also, a second bridge over the Ganga at Farakka – the entry point to north Bengal – is under construction.

During the past few weeks, infrastructure has emerged as one of the key issues which both the camps have been stressing on.

It was only last Monday when chief minister Mamata Banerjee had accused the Centre of deliberately delaying road projects and asked her party workers to put up posters, take out rallies and confine officials in protest.

BJP leaders, on the other hand, have time and again maintained that it is because of the state that projects have got delayed.

“The plan to widen Darjeeling More (the main entry point to Siliguri) and its approaches is delayed because the state has not handed over the project report or the land to the Centre,” said Raju Bista, the Darjeeling MP.

Trinamul, on the other hand, is taking a cue from party supremo, to stress the projects and initiatives taken by the state government.

“Two major road bridges have come up in north Bengal over the Teesta and the Ganga (in Cooch Behar and Malda districts) during Mamata Banerjee’s tenure. It is because of the chief minister’s initiative that land has been identified and handed over to the Centre for expansion of Bagdogra airport. Also, the road projects which were taken up by the central government could happen because the state provided adequate land,” said Vedabrata Dutta, a district Trinamul leader in Siliguri.

Political observers, while commenting on the issue, opined that instead of harping on the doles meted out to people, elaboration of such infrastructural projects can help in drawing support from all sections of an urban society.

“That is why it seems, both the parties have planned to speak on these issues and not only on the welfare schemes. In rural areas, however, welfare schemes and development of local infrastructure are likely to be the most-mentioned topics,” said an observer.