Kolkata, Jul 23 (PTI) North Bengal Development Minister Nisith Pramanik on Thursday told the Assembly that the BJP government is giving due importance to the region’s advancement, asserting that it remains a priority for the BJP-led administration.
A budget proposal of Rs 1,821 crore for the North Bengal Development department for 2026-27 was passed by the House, defeating a cut motion moved by lone ISF MLA Nawsad Siddique through a voice vote.
Presenting the department’s budget, Pramanik said adequate funds would be allocated to all districts and Assembly constituencies in North Bengal to ensure balanced growth of the region.
Claiming that North Bengal had remained neglected under previous governments, Pramanik said West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had prioritised the region’s development.
“The CM made seven visits to North Bengal, holding administrative meetings, and proved that he does not go there as a tourist destination but to ensure the advancement of the region and its people,” he said.
Pramanik said the previous chief minister had visited North Bengal several times and announced various projects during administrative meetings, but claimed that no actual development took place.
Without naming anyone, he alleged that the previous chief minister tried to create divisions among people of the region while making speeches on development.
The minister said his department would work with legislators from both ruling and opposition parties to ensure the development of North Bengal.
Highlighting that the region has several rivers, Pramanik said the department would give priority to demands related to bridge construction and river erosion.
He said the department plans to construct 10 permanent bridges over rivulets in each Assembly constituency of North Bengal every financial year.
The minister also announced plans to set up 100 modern tourist information centres across North Bengal with facilities such as homestays, coffee shops, food plazas and displays of local products.
He said elevated structures would be built for tourist information centres in the forests of Dooars and Terai after obtaining approval from the forest department.
Pramanik said the department, apart from using its own funds, would act as a nodal agency to coordinate development plans for North Bengal with various ministries of the Centre and departments of the state government.
He said steps would be taken to develop five land ports at Panitanki on the India-Nepal border, Phuentsholing and Jaigaon on the India-Bhutan border, and Hili, Changrabandha and Phulbari on the India-Bangladesh border, along with logistics and business hubs to generate employment.
The minister said IITs, IIMs, AIIMS and medical colleges would be set up in North Bengal, besides an emergency trauma care centre in Darjeeling.
He also said container homes would be established for tourists at Sandakphu, located at 11,929 feet and known for its sunrise views. PTI AMR MNB
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