DARJEELING, : Darjeeling MP Raju Bista on Tuesday stated that nine projects valued
at Rs 1,503.67 crore have been approved in Darjeeling district under Atal
Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0.
According
to Bista, these projects focus on water supply enhancement, sewerage system
improvements and rejuvenation of water bodies.
“Under
AMRUT 1.0, a total allocation of Rs 1,929.32 crore was made to the State of
West Bengal, out of which Rs 1,905.39 crore has been released. Under AMRUT 2.0,
the Central government has committed Rs 3,658 crore to West Bengal,” said
Bista, in a press release.
The
Darjeeling MP informed that Kurseong Municipality has been allocated Rs 210.8
crores which included Rs 210 crores for ensuring
drinking water supply in Kurseong Municipal area, and Rs 80 lakh for the
rejuvenation of Central Water Lake at Victoria area under Kurseong
Municipality. He said that for Mirik, in addition to the earlier announced Rs
196.57 crore, additional Rs 2.43 crore have been allocated for ensuring 100%
coverage of homes with drinking water connection. Further, additional Ra 10
crore has been allocated towards the rejuvenation and desiltation of Sumendu
Lake at Mirik.
Bista shared
that Darjeeling Municipality has been allocated an additional Rs 298.6 crore
under AMRUT 2.0 which includes Rs 238.6 crore to complete the drinking water
project in Darjeeling Municipal area and an additional Rs 60 crore for the
renovation of Sinchel North and South Lake and enhancement of total capacity
with newreservoir at Sinchel Lake area.
Kalimpong
Municipality, Bista said, has received a total of Rs 197.97 crore, out of which
Rs 196.57 is for water supply scheme within Kalimpong Municipality and Rs 40
lakh for the development of green space in Kalimpong.
“These
initiatives reflect the Central government’s strong commitment to ensuring
universal access to safe drinking water for all in our region and promoting
sustainable urban development. As the implementation of these projects lies with
local authorities, I hope that the West Bengal government, the Gorkhaland
Territorial Administration and the concerned Municipalities will undertake the
work with transparency and efficiency to benefit the people, without siphoning
off the funds or diverting them for purposes other than public welfare,” said the
Darjeeling MP.
The
release further adds that under AMRUT 1.0, an allocation of Rs 206.8 crore for
18 infrastructure projects was made out of which Rs 204.84 crore was allocated
specifically for drinking water supply to every household in Darjeeling
Municipality area, which included the provision of 11,800 new tap
connections. Additionally, 17 park
projects and the development of 1.40 acres of green space were completed in the
Siliguri Municipal Corporation area at a cost of Rs 1.96 crore, the release
adds.
