Darjeeling’s BJP MP Raju Bista on Sunday said he was ready to take up the onus to include Siliguri under the Centre’s smart city mission and sought a letter from the Mamata Banerjee government of the state to start the process.

“I would like to request the mayor of Siliguri (Gautam Deb) to urge the state government to send a letter to the Centre for Siliguri’s inclusion in the smart city mission so that different infrastructural projects can be taken up in this city. Once the state sends the letter, it will be my responsibility to include Siliguri in the project and I will get it done within three months,” Bista told the media.

He was replying to the mayor’s recent demand that the Centre should consider Siliguri as a city of national importance.

Deb had highlighted the geographical and strategic location of Siliguri, the gateway to the Northeast and is surrounded by international borders.

Bista also urged the state to take necessary steps so that widening of NH31 on the northern end of Siliguri can start at the earliest. Recently, the Centre sanctioned around Rs 1,000 crore for the project

“The Union ministry of road transport and highways sanctioned the fund for construction of a wider road between Balason and Sevoke Military Station. It is the state’s responsibility now to initiate the project that would largely address the issue of traffic congestion which is a major problem for residents of the city and surrounding areas,” said Bista.

He also mentioned some other road projects of the region such as the alternative road bridge over the Teesta river in Sevoke Bazaar and widening of NH10.

“The Centre is working on these projects to boost connectivity and we are monitoring them,” said the MP.