Chief Minister to develop Jaigaon as ‘planned city’

The West Bengal government has planned to develop Jaigaon as a “planned city”, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said while addressing a government programme in Alipurduar. It was decided during a review meeting with Bhutan officials, including external affairs minister Norbu Wangchuk, at Jaigaon on the Indo-Bhutan border.

Sources said the officials discussed the construction of a second (new) gate of Bhutan like the entry point located at Phuentsholing, and a joint survey for development work, including an Immigration Check Post, on the Indian side.

Chief secretary Sanjay Mitra, principal secretary for urban development Debasish Sen and other officials accompanied Banerjee as she met Wangchuk and other Bhutan officials.

In her speech, Banerjee pointed out that people in this region will be able to do good business as transport services for both goods and passengers will be started in Asian countries like Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Keeping an eye on industrial development in north Bengal, Banerjee said the members of chambers of commerce could demand what they need when an ‘industrial meet’ will be organised in north Bengal in November.

She added that the Biswa Bangla Sammelan will be held on January 8 and 9 in Kolkata.

Keeping in mind the next Assembly elections, the chief minister has sought one-and-a-half-year’s time for setting up an open university campus here, and promised to “do a lot” for Alipurduar people.

“A total of Rs 50 crore has been allotted for the construction of an administrative building where 36 departments will be accommodated. We will develop Jayanti for tourism and a permanent helipad will be built there for tourists. A total of Rs 20 crore was allotted for a medical hub here,” Banerjee claimed.

“Readying infrastructure here will take time because this is a newly-formed district. Land officials have started a survey to settle land records,” she added. She was, however, more aggressive against the CPI(M) and challenged to take on the party, which had ruled the state for 34 years. “A competition is going on. Do compete, but without violence…,” she said.