Siliguri, 11 December (H.S.) : West Bengal Chief Minister on Thursday virtually inaugurated the fourth phase of the Pathashree road development project from a government event in Krishnagar, marking a major infrastructure boost for the Darjeeling district.

Under this phase, a total of 155 new roads will be constructed across both rural and urban areas of Darjeeling district, with an estimated cost of Rs 110 crore.

Following the virtual launch, Darjeeling District Magistrate Manish Mishra, Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb and Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad Sabhadhipati Arun Ghosh flagged off the district's project tableau in Naxalbari.

DM Mishra said the district will see the construction of 21 roads in rural regions, 34 in the hill areas, and 100 roads within municipal jurisdictions. A special monitoring team has been formed to ensure the quality of construction. He added that the new roads will significantly ease the daily hardships faced by local residents.

Mayor Gautam Deb said the Pathashree project will accelerate development across the state as well as in Siliguri and its rural belts. He noted that road projects worth Rs 20 crore will be implemented within the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad alone.

Immediately after the inauguration, work commenced on the 1.10 km stretch from Naxalbari Hospital to Karbala Maidan. The DM, Mayor and Sabhadhipati jointly inspected the ongoing work. Another road project has also been sanctioned at Raipada in Naxalbari, where local residents expressed joy after the official announcement.

The district administration said construction on all sanctioned roads will begin in phases.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh