District BJP leaders published a separate manifesto for the Siliguri Assembly seat on Friday and emphasised that if voted to power, they would carry out a series of important infrastructure works in the city and develop it into a “smart city.”

In north Bengal, Siliguri is considered as the most important Assembly seat owing to its geographical location. The BJP has never won the seat.

Union minister of state for tourism and culture Prahlad Singh Patel, along with district BJP leaders and Shankar Ghosh, the BJP candidate in the seat, released the manifesto that carries a number of promises, most of which pertain to the infrastructure of Siliguri — the largest urban hub of north Bengal.

“We will develop Siliguri into a ‘smart city’ with specific plans… projects for development of infrastructure in sports and education, along with improved drinking water services. The issue of traffic congestion which has been plaguing the city for years would be addressed,” said Shankar.

Among other promises mentioned in the manifesto are announcing Bagdogra as an international airport, introducing an underground sewerage system, flyovers and foot bridges and introducing free wi-fi zones in different corners of the city.

“All social welfare schemes which we have mentioned in our ‘Sankalpa Patra’ would be introduced for the economically weaker section of people of the city,” Shankar added.