Jayanta Roy, the BJP MP of Jalpaiguri, on Tuesday inaugurated a lift in platform 1 of the station which is on the principal rail route that connects the Northeast with the rest of the country.

The elevator will facilitate the movement of passengers to the foot over-bridge that connects two platforms of the station.

Roy also took the opportunity to underscore the initiatives he has taken during his tenure as MP.

“It is because of my initiative that the origin and terminus of Darjeeling Mail has been extended to Haldibari from New Jalpaiguri. Time and again, I have pursued the proposals to develop the infrastructure in Jalpaiguri Road Station and Jalpaiguri Town Station. The railway ministry listened to the proposals and took up necessary work. I have also ensured a stop of Padatik Express here,” said Roy after inaugurating the elevator.

Railway officials present at the event said the elevator in platform 2 would be ready in another three weeks. “We will also expand the three-foot-long foot overbridge to a 12–foot-long overbridge. Also, the entire stretch of both platforms 1 and 2 would be covered with sheds,” said an official.

Roy also claimed he strove to get funds for the medical college and permanent infrastructure of the Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench of Calcutta High Court.

“Some major infrastructural developments have been carried out in the district in the past five years. We have put all efforts to ensure allocation of central funds for them,” Roy claimed.

His assertion comes at a time when questions are being raised over the utilisation of his MPLAD (MP’s local area development fund).

Roy received Rs 17 crore as MPLAD. “However, he gave approval to projects worth Rs 9.64 crore of which projects worth Rs 4.89 crore were approved by the government,” said a source.

District Trinamul leaders, who furnished this data, said the MP failed to spend central funds allotted to him for the district’s development.

“Now, as elections are drawing near, he is making tall claims to divert peoples’ attention. Such strategies will not work,” said a Trinamul functionary.