The Siliguri-Jalpaiguri Development Authority has drawn up plans for 40 new projects worth Rs 25 crore and is awaiting approval from the state finance department.
The projects, sources said, include a new bus terminus near Thakur Panchanan Chowk in the southern parts of Siliguri and new roads in certain areas of north Bengal.
“We have got the consent of the state municipal affairs and urban development department and are now waiting for the approval of the finance department,” said Sourav Chakraborty, the chairman of the SJDA, here on Thursday.
The road projects, sources said, will be taken up in areas of Siliguri sub-division, in Malbazar sub-division of Jalpaiguri district and some of its rural areas.
“Chief minister Mamata Banerjee will be here next week. She is likely to lay the foundation stone of the bus terminus planned to reduce traffic congestion in Siliguri,” said a source.
The SJDA chairman said that considering the upcoming G20 tourism summit which is likely to be held here in April this year, they will carry out beautification and illumination work in Bagdogra, Naxalbari, Matigara and Darjeeling More.
The SJDA, Chakraborty added, has built a resort in Lataguri, a popular tourist destination on the fringes of the Gorumara National Park in the Dooars.
“We have constructed the eco-resort at Lataguri by spending Rs 9.5 crore. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee will inaugurate it. The resort has a pond with a boating facility, a park and a natural stream in the area,” he said.
Mamata will also hand over the land for the construction of the new building of Siliguri College of Commerce at Kawakhali.
Sources in the administration said a three-member delegation is on a visit to the region to check out arrangements for the proposed tourism meeting.
“The team will submit its report after the visit and only then will the final approval to host the event be issued,” said an official.
Office shift
The office of the SJDA will be shifted to Himachal Bihar in Matigara. SJDA chairman Sourav Chakraborty said administrative work would be done from the new office from March. Development-related work will continue to be carried out from the existing office off Hill Cart Road, next to the Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus.
