Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, today, informed that through a letter from Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri, he was informed that the Government of India under the ongoing AMRUT 2.0 Mission, has approved a water supply project for Mirik Municipality for Rs 199 crore and another water supply scheme for Kalimpong Municipality at Rs 196.57 crore.
In his press release, the MP stated:
On behalf of the people from Darjeeling hills, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi ji, and Hon’ble Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Sh. Hardeep Singh Puri ji for approving AMRUT 2.0 Mission projects to provide tapped drinking water to all the households in Kalimpong and Mirk Municipalities.
On the 11th of Aug, 2022 I had reached out to Hon’ble Minister requesting him to ensure that people from our Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars are not kept deprived of drinking water facilities, due to the inordinate delays caused by the WB Govt. I had also informed him that, “despite receiving one of the highest rainfalls in India, the towns in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts suffer acute shortage of drinkin water. In this context, I would like to request for your kind consideration to implement a comprehensive drinking water project through AMRUT in i) Kalimpong Municipality, ii) Kurseong Municipality, and iii) Mirik Municipality.
I am happy to share the news that today, I have received a letter from Hon’ble Hardeep Singh Puri ji informing me that, “under the ongoing AMRUT 2.0 Mission, we have approved a water supply project for Mirik Municipality at a cost of Rs 199 crore and another water supply scheme for Kalimpong Municipality at a cost of Rs 196.57 crore.”
I request both Mirik Municipality and Kalimpong Municipality to ensure proper usage and utilisation of these funds without any corruption, so that we can have proper drinking water infrastructure in place within the next two years. I am pursuing with the Union Govt to ensure the inclusion of Kurseong Municipality too under AMRUT 2.0 scheme. I am confident that it will be done within the next few months.
In addition, the Central Government has initiated multiple “Har Ghar Jal” projects that will cover each and every household in our rural regions. These projects are being implemented by the GTA in the hill regions of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. I request the local communities, NGOs, youths, social workers, intellectuals from the region to keep an eye on these projects, as these projects are meant for all of your benefit.
It is important that we take ownership of the various projects initiated by the Central Govt from the very beginning and ensuring that the quality of the work being undertaken is maintained to the highest standards.
Thank you Raju Bistaji.