Siliguri, 09th October: Former Siliguri Mayor, MLA, Minister and Veteran CPI(M) leader Ashok Bhattacharya has criticised the closure of Fuleswari railway gate in Siliguri, alleging that the Railways shut it late at night without following the required procedures.
Addressing a press conference at the Siliguri Journalists’ Club on Friday, Bhattacharya said he would write to the General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Katihar and the District Magistrate regarding the matter.
Bhattacharya alleged that the necessary procedures were not followed before closing the railway gate. He said the process should include publishing a notice in newspapers, informing the public, allowing a 30-day period and inviting public opinions and objections. He also stressed the need to seek the views of the state government, the District Magistrate and the Siliguri Municipal Corporation.
He further argued that alternative arrangements, such as roads, subways, underpasses or flyovers, should be completed before a railway gate is closed. The necessary safety clearances should also be obtained before implementing such a decision. He questioned whether these procedures had been followed in the case of Fuleswari.
Bhattacharya said that around 20 years ago, when he was chairman of the Siliguri-Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA), an underpass was constructed using the authority’s own funds. He also claimed that Rs 75 lakh had been provided to the Railways for constructing an alternative route.
Despite these arrangements, the closure of the railway gate has created difficulties for the public, he alleged. With Durga Puja approaching, Bhattacharya expressed concern that traffic movement could be further affected and public inconvenience could increase.
He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the closure decision, removal of the barricades and reopening of the railway gate. He warned that a larger protest would be launched if the gate was not reopened soon.
