Balwabas, a name not many may have been familiar a few months ago, today it marks the beginning of renaissance in Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars region.
In Darjeeling, not much gets done these days. Because, there’s no money. I don’t mean, individuals earning money, there are a lot of rich folks around our poor little town, but in terms of development – there’s no money for the development of our region. What Darjeeling and Kalimpong region under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) get allocated as “development fund” annually, is less than what is left over in other states from individual departmental budgets.
Take for example Sikkim, our neighbouring state, their annual budget is Rs 14,490.67 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. This figure has seen a 109% growth since 2018-19, and the state’s GDP is projected to exceed Rs 50,000 crore this fiscal.
In Darjeeling, the budget figures of GTA are rarely made public. For FY 2021-22 the total planned allocation was Rs 175 crores, out of which only Rs 133.75 crore was sanctioned, and for the FY22-23 the GTA’s allocation of State’s Planned Budget was a measly Rs 206 crores. Planned allocation relates to funds that are to be used for the development of the region.
So, despite all claims to the contrary by the ruling party in the hill of “working with the state to ensure development”, you can imagine the “level of development” that can be expected with this paltry sum.
Adding to the perineal woe for our region, is that the elections to Panchayat were not held since 2005, which deprived our region of hundreds of crores of development funds for the rural region. All of these together have lead of acute deficiency of infrastructure in our region. Be it in the urban areas of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Mirik towns, or in any rural regions, the hills are either over-crowded due to lack of planning, or infrastructure is simply non-existent.
This is where the people of Balwabas, Singtam found themselves. Decades of discrimination and deprivation had left the region devoid of basic connectivity. Even 77-years after Independence, people here had to use the shaky rope-bridge to cross the river, which would rage during monsoon, making the river crossing a very risky affair.
I have watched with fascination, how Ajoy Edwards led initiative, which saw the outpouring of support from people in and out of Darjeeling, has today resulted in a permanent bridge being constructed, and the rickety old bridge being transformed into a skywalk.
The Balwabas bridge shows the power of collectivism. The power of a dedicated group of individuals bringing change, making things possible. This bridge marks the renaissance among the Gorkhas, it showcases that when we unite, we don’t need to look towards others to uplift our community, we are capable. This bridge marks a new beginning for our region.
What really touched me is that, the bridge is not a shabby looking, commission paying contractor constructed bridge. Rather, it is a bridge that looks pretty and not just compliments, but also enhances the beauty of Balwabas.
Edwards and team could have just constructed the bridge and let it be, but instead they made genuine effort to beautify the bridge, and their efforts have today resulted in an amazing transformation among the people of Balwabas and Darjeeling as a whole.
This, is a class act.
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