Friday, Sep 08, 2023 07:15 [IST]
Last Update: Friday, Sep 08, 2023 01:39 [IST]
GANGTOK,: Chief Minister PS Golay on Thursday laid the foundation stone of the Wellness Park at the old STNM Hospital complex here being developed by the Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC).
The 2-acre park aims to cater to the recreational, mental and physical health of the people, especially those in Gangtok and from all age groups. It is proposed to be developed at a cost of Rs. 14.40 crore.
Ministers KN Lepcha, LB Das, Sonam Lama, Samdup Lepcha and LN Sharma, MLAs YT Lepcha and ST Venchungpa, GMC Mayor Nell Bahadur Chettri, deputy Mayor Tshering Palden Bhutia, councillors, chief secretary VB Pathak, DGP, senior government officials and GMC officials were present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Mayor Nell Bahadur Chettri thanked Chief Minister PS Golay on behalf of the Gangtokians and GMC for entrusting the responsibility of developing the much-needed public park to the GMC.
Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the GMC has been entrusted with several important projects like development of GMC Indoor Sports Arena, back drainage system of MG Marg and now the Wellness Park at the old STNM Hospital complex.
The GMC has a dedicated team which is tirelessly working to address the major civic issues of the State capital, said Chettri. The GMC officials and employees are doing exceptional work regarding solid waste management, he said. He requested the Chief Minister not to transfer any GMC official till the GMC cadre is formulated.
The Mayor also spoke on the persisting problems of the Martam landfill site and requested the Chief Minister and the State government for an acceptable solution, since only inert waste are to be dumped in the landfill as per the NGT norms.
GMC chief town planner Gary Chopel presented a technical report on the Wellness Park project which is divided into two components – outdoor and indoor.
The indoor component consists of four floors, park entry from the Tibet Road side, lobby, washrooms and ticketing counters, day care centre for kids, and food stalls. One entire floor would be dedicated to the senior citizens with facilities like library and recreational areas.
The outdoor component consists of spaces for jogging, skating, children’s play area, open air theatre and open lawn.
Chopel added that the GMC is planning to landscape the park with cherry trees.
During the programme, the GMC felicitated the Chief Minister for his leadership and support rendered to the local civic body.
Regarding the landfill and other issues, the Chief Minister said he will soon call a meeting with the GMC, Urban Development department and concerned officials to deliberate and come up with solutions to address the issues.
