The water crises in hills is becoming grim day by day. I am the one who is victim of water shortage in Kalimpong. The water sources in hills have dried up. It’s becoming an struggle to get daily use water in hills.

The SMC in Siliguri provides water supply to each corners in town.Why is the Muncipality in hills are silent on this issue.

Chanting GORKHALAND will not only solve these issues. Even if we get state, if leaders of hills show this attitude, then where will common people will go?

I believe these basic issues gets hidden for the sake of statehood demand. But day to day struggle that I have faced for last one month has created hatred towards our leaders who only speak of development in hills but cannot provide even drinking water to people.

The only thing we hear is assurances and promises which is never fulfilled. I feel if this go on like this, people will suffer a great deal in future.

So my humble request to our leaders please look into this matter seriously and work to resolve our basic requirements. Otherwise a day will come, when our children will be left with no water and no sources too.

[Writes: Bikash Chhetri]

The post Hills Deprived of Basic Requirements appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Locals have informed us that the original tender for the bridge on Dabai Khola, Tangta was opened in 2013, and constructions for the bride commenced in 2016. Yet there has been no progress, and completion of the project seems a far way off.

Yesterday, a huge rally was held at the bridge construction site, against the contractors who have not completed the work, and also against the government officials who haven’t taken any action against the erring contractors.

The post The Never Ending Wait for a Bridge on River Dabai Khola, Tangta appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Just a little distance from Singtam fatak, the road access to villages like Ramlal Dhura, Rockvill, Dhanmand Dhura, Godam Dhura are next to non-existent.  One of the locals, a 70 year old Gajdish Rai who wants to see Tar line up the road before he dies questioned, “I have lived without roads, but will my grand children have to suffer the same as me?”

According to a local Mahesh Dewan, “the road work has started in 2013, but it was stopped midway, then again they laid foundation stone for the road in 2017, and after constructing a few walls and parapate, the work has again been stopped.”

Singtam Road – They dug but left

Mr. Madan Rai of the Ramlal Dhura Gram Sudhar Samiti has stated, “In the two-phases, only 10% of the road construction has actually been undertaken. They dug few patches and left, now during rainy season we suffer more, the students have a harrowing time getting to school and back.”

There are over 1000 residents who live in the 5 villages, and they have to suffer a lot, especially while transporting sick and elderly to town. Many a times, people have died while being transported to the main road. This utter apathy and neglect has left the residents fuming.

Will the administration “wake up” and ensure that this road is completed, or will they continue to neglect such basic infrastructural needs, while parroting “development”?

Only time will tell

No Roads in Singtam

The post Singtam T.E Residents Deprived of Roads appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

“I would like to draw your kind attention towards a grieving situation encountered by my fellow villagers from Sumripani Top Line, under Pokhriabong GP-II, Sukhia Pokhri Block, Darjeeling since long. The village is home to more than 100 families, in addition people from nearby villages like Piplay , Tamkuley and Kothidhura villages of Avongrove TE and many more use this as the main access road to Pokhriabong bazar. However, half of the village is yet to be connected by any motorable road.

A kutcha road connecting Sumripani to Pokhriabong was supposed to be constructed by GTA in 2013, and earth cutting for the same had begun, but even the earth cutting process was left uncompleted. Thereafter no further step has been taken by any administration or authorities even after numerous visits, petition and request.

Given the topography, climatic condition and soil factor this incomplete road is not even walkable, especially during Monsoon and has been troublesome to my villagers in Sumripani, as well as the people from adjoining villages like Piplay village, Tamkuley and Kothidhura villages of Avongrove TE etc. During rainy season,people  from these villages really struggle during times of medical emergencies, and many a lives have been lost even before the patient could be reached to the main road.

Just 2 kilometer motorable road here can address the age old plight of the villagers.

Therefore sir, I would like to request the authorities to kindly work on this road.”

We hope the authorities will take a look into this immediately, and do the needful

The post STILL AWAITED: Road to Sumripani Top Line appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.