Gautam Deb, the mayor of Siliguri, held a meeting with officials of Darjeeling district administration and various state departments on the highway project to connect Khaprail with Sevoke Military Station along NH10 to draw up plans to clear bottlenecks.

“The road will be around 13km long.... We held a meeting to discuss bottlenecks to be cleared...,” said Deb after the meeting that state PWD, Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad, Siliguri Metropolitan Police and SMC representatives attended.

On November 17, Union minister Nitin Gadkari laid the foundation stone of the proposed four-lane road.

“Chief minister Mamata Banerjee constantly focused on the project. We expect work to start by January and end in a couple of years. The NH division of state PWD will monitor it. A stretch of 3.7km will be elevated. There will be five vehicular underpasses, two light vehicle underpasses and a 5.2m wide service lane. The cost is around Rs 900 crore,” Deb said.

Observers said the civic body did not want to be accused of delay as the Centre cleared funds.

Teachers of Baguribari GSFP School, a state government-aided primary school in Alipurduar town, organised a farewell trip for students of Class V on Wednesday.

A group of 25 students was taken to Rasikbil Eco Park (in picture) in Cooch Behar, around 35km away. They were given gifts and refreshments. Academics of the town have appreciated the initiative, which they have said, is rare at state-aided primary schools.

“It is a memorable day for the students and also for us. We hope the students excel in future,” said Rathin Bhowal, the teacher-in-charge.

Report and picture by Anirban Choudhury