Kurseong News -Darjeeling waits for promised road reconstruction

KURSEONG, 25 NOV: Reconstruction is yet to start on the roads damaged in the Darjeeling earthquake and landslide. During her visit to the area, chief minister Miss Mamata Banerjee had called for the immediate repair of roads, including Rohini Road, a major artery in the Hills. Speaking in Chowrasta in Darjeeling, Miss Banerjee had emphasised road repair in her speech and immediately given Rs 20 crore from the state government fund to start the reconstruction. She referred specifically to the terrible condition of the Darjeeling Road and the Rohini Road, and said that the National Disaster Management Agency was planning the works. She said that Rs 5 crore was earmarked for the Rohini Road, and if that was not possible, then to use the Rs 20 crore however necessary. She had said: “You have to keep your roads in a good condition because if the road is good than only life will become better, but if the roads are not in good shape than life will never be successful." Kurseong MLA Mr Rohit Sharma said: "I cannot say anything about the present status of the road since I have not been in touch with the board of administrators of the DGHC for the past few days and the tender had also not been completed for the roads." He said that president Mr Bimal Gurung has already directed them to focus on the road, and that the reconstruction contract would only be granted to a very experienced organisation. sns