Habibpur (Nadia): Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has instructed the administration to inform people about the road construction and widening projects which the Centre has not carried out by putting up billboards in the districts.
She was addressing an administrative review meeting here on Wednesday afternoon.
The matter came to light when Arnab Roy, Principal Secretary, the Public Works Department (PWD) informed her that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has not yet given the DPR to the state government regarding the widening of NH-34 between Barasat and Krishnagar. "For the past three years, the NHAI has been sitting on the DPR though we have been writing letters to them to expedite the matter. We should put up billboards to inform the people about the projects which the Centre has not taken up. The District Magistrates of the North 24-Parganas and Nadia will put up billboards in their respective areas and ensure that they are put up in areas where people can see them."
She urged the PWD and other departments to inform people about the new projects of the state government. "Tell people about the roadwork carried out by the state by erecting posters and display boards with relevant details. The public should be aware of the work done by the TMC government for their benefits. Unless you let people know about state projects, how can they avail the benefits," she reasoned.
Banerjee said the road from Bongaon to Chakdah will be upgraded to a four-lane thoroughfare. A road connecting Kalna in East Burdwan with Shantipur in Nadia will start soon at an estimated cost of Rs 1100 crore.
The Chief Minister said Mayapur will be upgraded to an urban town. Recalling her interaction with Alfred Brush Ford, the great-grandson of Henry Ford, known as Ambarish Swami of ISKCON, Banerjee said: "I had requested him to set up an automobile factory. If Mayapur is developed, many devotees will come which in turn will boost local business."
She also maintained that land will be allotted to Flipkart in Haringhata and the company is expected to invest around Rs 1,000 crore. This will give direct and indirect jobs to around 10,000 people. She asked the officials to inform the farmers about the schemes taken up by the state government including the payment of Rs 2 lakh to those aged between 18 and 60 years who will have a natural or accidental death.
Banerjee urged the people's representatives and the BDOs to develop intimate contact with the masses. To the MLAs, she said: "Visit your areas regularly and try to listen to the grievances s of the people."
Banerjee also expressed satisfaction over the procurement of rice in the district and distribution of cheques to the farmers under "give paddy and take cheque" scheme.