Engineering College Takdah - 1st Engineering College in the Darjeeling Hills

With the support from NHPC, the foundation for the 1st Engineering College of the hills was laid by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Executive Chief, Bimal Gurung at Takdah today. The project which is believed to be a turning point in the hills’ educational system amounts upto 8 crores. Gurung was also handed over a cheque of Rs 8 crores by the Director of NPHC, Siliguri area, R Roy.The institution will be constructed on the land of the Sericulture Department of Takdah. It may be mentioned here that in the year 2010, a local company had tried to set up an Engineering College at the same place which was unsuccessful.Gurung in his address mentioning the same said that after the local company stepped behind in doing the same, it is highly appreciable that the NHPC has taken the initial steps and it is welcomed. Notifying that the NHPC will be granting Rs 2 crores in order to set up an MRI machine at the Darjeeling District Hospital, the GTA Chief Executive said that if only the NHPC could do something in curbing the unemployment issues in the hills, then it would be very helpful.He also notified that a site will be searched at Takdah Teesta Valley to establish a Football Academy proposed by Bhaichung Bhutia. The tourism sector will also be developed at Takdah, he assured.The GTA Chief Secretary, Soumitra Mohan in his turn said that people have hopes laid on GTA through which the need for education, development in health facilities and other sectors will be done. He also assured of every help to the different projects of the Municipality under the NHPC.Likewise, the Director, R Roy stated that Darjeeling is the centre of education. Highlighting the works done by NHPC, he mentioned that the company does not only generate power, instead it has also been involving itself in social welfare activities to name a few, Deorali in Rambi has been made into a model village, health and women development activities, etc.Earlier, the GTA Higher Education Sabhasad, Dr RB Bhujel, area Sabhasad, Norbu G Lama and Chief Secretary, Soumitra Mohan conducted religious ritual after which Gurung unveiled the foundation stone. The Morcha workers were present at large.

By Mukesh Sharma