Sikkim’s multi-storied project in Siliguri put on hold by SMC

PRASHANT ACHARYA

SILIGURI,: Sikkim Chief Minister PS Golay praised the Bengal Chief Minister and the Siliguri Mayor for granting approval for the Basement+G+10 storied building at SNT Complex here on Wednesday morning and on the same evening news circulated that the approval has been withdrawn by the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) following the complaints lodged by local residents.

Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb who is presently in Kolkata informed that after receiving complaints from residents of Ward No 3, they discussed the matter during a review meeting on March 4 and decided to withdraw the approval for the final review.

Deb said that in their complaints, the local residents stated that the approach road is narrow and the multi-storied building needs more spacious and adequate space for controlling traffic. There may be traffic congestion since Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus is nearby.

According to Deb, the SMC has not cancelled but withdrawn exemption of the building plan under section 3 of West Bengal Building Act 1899 for the review and let know after the meeting with the concerned authorities and board of members.

“Since it is a government project it cannot be withdrawn at once, it needs to be reviewed again,” said Deb.

The Mayor also informed that the matter has already been communicated to the Transport department of Sikkim regarding their decision.

The SMC also has confusion on the name ‘Su-swasthya bhawan’ which was mentioned in the approval letter.

Deb said that since the West Bengal government is running “Su-swasthya Kendra” (Urban Health and Wellness Center) there may be confusion among people regarding the health facilities.

But at the foundation stone laying ceremony the name of the Sikkim government’s project was mentioned as ‘Health Care Center and Guest House Building’.

Though the name was kept as Su-Swasthya Bhawan earlier and the Chief Minister had mentioned the same on occasions but on the inaugural day of the rented building at Champasari he did not mention the same. The building name was kept as ‘Aama ko Godh’.