Mayor Gautam Deb on Monday launched “Manusher Kachhe Cholo (Go to people)", a drive to visit each of the 47 wards of Siliguri Municipal Corporation to meet people and hear out their complaints and suggestions.
Deb plans to spend a night in a house in every ward and dine with people.
“I aim to visit at least four wards each month. The idea is to cover almost all wards in the next 10 months,” said Deb.
After assuming office in the SMC last year, Deb started “Talk to Mayor,” a weekly interaction that enabled residents to call up with complaints or suggestions related to civic services and the city's overall development.
“The initiative was a success. This March, the mayor came up with this new outreach plan. As a part of this, he intends to personally reach out to the most number of people possible,” said a source in the civic body.
Accompanied by Ranjan Sarkar, his deputy, some MMICs (members, mayor-in-council) and civic officials, Deb reached ward 2 on Monday.
“People responded spontaneously and spoke on sewerage, drinking water and roads. Some said they should get land rights. We have jotted all of it down. In due course, we intend to resolve the issues through talks and proper planning,” said the mayor.
Amit Jain, a BJP councillor in the SMC, said these visits "won't work" because people "were aware" that the board could not meet people's aspirations.