Parking floors with 450 vehicles capacity in West Point project by Dec 31

BIJOY GURUNG

GANGTOK,: Parking floors with a capacity of 450 vehicles would be available when the first phase of the West Point project in Gangtok is inaugurated on December 31, said Chief Minister PS Golay on Thursday.

He was addressing the ‘Sarathi Samman Diwas 2023’ event at Saramsa near Ranipool.

“We have started the West Point project on a PPP mode in the interests of the people and drivers. We are inaugurating the project’s first phase on December 31 which includes the parking lots that can accommodate 450 vehicles,” said the Chief Minister.

The West Point project entails a multi-storied mall complex but had its share of controversies due to its enormous structure. Earlier, it used to function as a taxi stand for east, south and west districts.

In his speech, the Chief Minister mentioned that the project had been tendered by the previous government. We changed the terms and conditions in our favour through the PPP mode, he said.

Golay shared after the first phase is commissioned, parking lots for about 250 vehicles would be given to the State government-constituted All Sikkim Chalak Welfare Board. Revenue from the parking lot would be used by the board for the welfare of the drivers, he said.

The Chief Minister informed that parking floors would also have a dormitory for the drivers along with a room for indoor games, first-aid room and an ambulance, public waiting room, and other amenities.

The Chief Minister shared that the State government is developing more parking lots through Asian Development Bank. We are constructing parking lots in main Gangtok town, Tadong, Arithang and district towns like Soreng, Pakyong and Yangang, he said. He informed the revenue from these parking lots would go to the All Sikkim Chalak Welfare Board.

‘Village Development Board’

In his Chalak Diwas speech, the Chief Minister informed that the State government is setting up a board that is directly connected with the under-developed villages of Sikkim.

“In coming days, we are forming an ‘Under Developed Village Board’ that will be directly connected with the villages, especially those villages are lagging behind and are away from the State government’s attention. We will appoint a person who understands the pains and issues of the villages as the board’s head. The board will be notified very soon,” he said.