Hooghly, 18 September (H.S.): “You will see the trailer of the picture in the next six-seven months.” Minister of State for Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Labour Bhaskar Bhattacharya made the remark on Friday while attending a health check-up camp at Purno Babu Math in Rishra on the second day of the BJP’s ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’. During the programme, the minister spoke about several issues concerning Rishra’s development, healthcare services, civic amenities and the utilisation of vacant land in the area.

One of the key issues raised by the minister was the Rishra Seva Sadan Hospital. Bhattacharya said that efforts were continuing to restart the hospital and indicated that tangible progress could be seen in the coming months.

The minister also spoke about approximately 15 acres of vacant land near Rishra railway station. According to him, the government has taken possession of the land and there is a possibility of developing a project there under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The minister had also inspected the land in August and reportedly directed officials to take necessary steps, including demarcation of its boundaries. At that time, possibilities such as a medical college and a stadium had also been discussed.

Plan for a New Connectivity Route Towards Barrackpore

Bhattacharya also referred to proposed plans concerning road connectivity in the region. He said there is a plan to widen Delhi Road to six lanes. He further said that the government is considering a new bridge/connectivity route from the junction of Delhi Road and Tarakeswar Road, via Nimai Tirtha Ghat, towards Barrackpore.

Industrial Hub Proposed in Singur

Speaking about the industrial development of Hooghly, the minister said that there is a plan to establish an industrial hub in Singur. He said the plan has already been prepared and forwarded to the Chief Minister and the concerned departments. The District Magistrate has also cleared the plan at the planning level, and the proposal now needs to be taken forward.

During the programme, the minister also asked the BJP’s mandal presidents responsible for different areas of Rishra to keep a close watch on civic problems in the locality and raise issues concerning residents.

Healthcare services, civic amenities, utilisation of vacant land and traffic connectivity have remained important issues in Rishra. Against this backdrop, the minister’s announcements have drawn attention to the proposed development initiatives and the efforts to restart Rishra Seva Sadan Hospital. The coming months will indicate how these proposals progress on the ground.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey