A number of projects sanctioned to improve the tourism infrastructure in the Darjeeling hills have not yet been completed

Darjeeling, Sept. 11: A number of projects sanctioned by the Centre to improve the tourism infrastructure in the Darjeeling hills from 2004 onwards have not yet been completed, shows a status report compiled by the Union tourism ministry.

Sources said six projects which originally entailed a total investment of Rs 17 crore could not be completed on time because of the resumption of Gorkhaland agitation in 2007 and to some extent, the inertia of the DGHC, the implementing agency.

The status report was handed out by Union tourism minister Subodh Kant Sahay during his visit here today. The report says given the present state of the projects, more funds would be needed for their completion.

The Centre had sanctioned Rs 1.7 core and 2.8 crore for development of Ranghang near Mirik and the beautification of Rohini lake respectively. “Both the projects are incomplete and physical progress of these is in the range of 59-75 per cent,” reads the report.

Funds for these projects had been sanctioned during the financial year 2004-2005. The same year, Rs 50 lakh was also sanctioned for rural tourism in Darjeeling. “Although, as per the state government, the project is complete, no utilisation certificate has been received in the ministry,” said the report.

In 2006-07, Rs 3.5 crore was released for setting up a facility at Goke near Bijanbari, while Kalimpong was allotted Rs 4.9 crore for its development. Only 40-45 per cent of these schemes have been completed.

The Centre doled out Rs 4.9 crore for development of tourist spots in Darjeeling, while Kalimpong was given an additional Rs 3.4 crore in 2007-08. “Physical progress of these projects is in the range of 60 to 64 per cent,” says the report.

However, the funds stopped flowing with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha launching an agitation for Gorkhaland in October 2007.

Officials in the tourism department of the DGHC believe additional amounts have to be allotted if these schemes are to be completed. “If you take the example of Rohini, it is in a complete mess now. The guesthouse has been burnt down. The lake there is in ruins and so is the entire complex. The funds allotted for its beautification much earlier will not be sufficient now,” said a DGHC official, adding that most of the tourism projects in the hills were in a pathetic condition.

The minister said Brand Darjeeling was famous globally and everyone needed to work towards improving the area. “Sikkim has done a great job in tourism as far as the Northeast is concerned and we will definitely help the state further,” said Sahai.

-VIVEK CHHETRI/TT