The Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority has prepared a development plan for Siliguri and its surrounding areas for comprehensive infrastructural development in and around the city.
Sourav Chakraborty, the SJDA chairman, said that a couple of months back an agency of experts was engaged to draw up the plan.
“We received the plan from them recently. It will be placed at the upcoming board meeting of the SJDA on August 17 for discussion and approval. The plan has been named Vision-2045 and has recommendations to upgrade Siliguri into a smart city,” he said.
Sources said the plan includes proposals to improve the road network and traffic management, installation of CCTV cameras, setting up Wi-Fi zones and landscaping in different locations of the city.
“We have a plan to create Wi-Fi zones in some spots of the city. Those would be developed in consultation with residents. People can
access free Wi-Fi facilities in these locations,” said Chakraborty.
Plans include the installation of CCTV cameras from Salugara, on the northeast outskirts of the city, to Burdwan Road, the principal road that connects southern parts of Siliguri.
“We have received a request from the Siliguri Metropolitan Police and will take up the work,” said a source.
The SJDA has also planned to shift the long-distance private buses to Paribahan Nagar in Matigara on the northwest of Siliguri by December this year.
As of now, these buses operate from Siliguri Junction and Mallaguri near the Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus, which leads to traffic congestion on Hill Cart Road.
“Once these buses start running from Matigara, it would ease traffic. Also, recommendations for foot-bridges, inter-connecting roads with existing thoroughfares, and a new road to connect from Matigara and Siliguri have been mentioned in the plan,” the source added.
Mancha revamp
The SJDA will carry out a complete renovation of Rabindra Mancha, an open-air auditorium in Baghajatin Park of Siliguri. It will develop a joggers’ arena, make seating arrangements and install drinking water facilities at the site. Paver blocks would be laid in the adjacent roads and landscaping would be done in the area, said a source.
