Phansidewa, 21st January: The construction of a bridge has come to a halt after the Forest Department issued a notice to the Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad, instructing them to stop the work due to the absence of permission to use Forest Department land.
The bridge, spanning the Chenga River in the Dhimal Chat area of Hetmudi Singijhora Gram Panchayat, was being built at a cost of ₹7 crores, with a planned 96-meter span. The work had begun after the laying of the foundation stone, but once the Forest Department noticed the construction on its land, the work was immediately halted.
The Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad received a notice to stop the work, causing concern among local residents. They have urged authorities to resolve the issue quickly and resume construction.
According to the DFO of the Kurseong Forest Division, the work was stopped because the land belongs to the Forest Department, and construction in such areas requires clearance from the environmental portal, which had not been obtained.
However, Sabhadhipati Arun Ghosh of Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad stated that the work had not stopped yet. He claimed that there was no way to know that the land was owned by the Forest Department, adding that it was a matter between the government departments. Ghosh further mentioned that if it were Forest Department land, permission would have been sought beforehand. The issue has been reported to the District Magistrate, and steps are being taken to obtain the necessary clearance.