SAGARDIGHI

Rs 50-lakh for fresh beautification of Sagardighi

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 9: Failing to complete the beatification of the Sagardighi the state tourism department handed over the responsibility to the district administration of Cooch Behar. The beautification drive was under the tourism department for the last four years. The agency that was working under tourism department left the job without completing it.

 

Complying the responsibility the district administration already called tender and work order was also issued yesterday to an agency of Dinhata. The agency was instructed to complete the job by six months. District planning and rural development officer Mr Sunil Agarwala said the tourism department was to extend a fund of Rs 50-lakh to the district administration for the purpose.

 

It was learnt that under the fresh beautification plan pavements would be constructed along the four sides of Sagardighi. Plantation of trees, setting up of railings and electrifications will also be done to beautify the large waterbody. Fifty lampposts will be placed on the four banks to illuminate the pavements.

 

On earlier occasions, state tourism minister Mr Manabendra Mukherjee had assured of speedy completion of the beautification but that was not done. At last, his department shook off the responsibility.

 

Sagardighi is a large pond situated in the midst of Coochbehar town. It was dug in the days of Maharajas of Coochbehar as a source of water.

 

A senior Congress leader and also a member of All India Congress Committee Mrs Sabita said that the Congress run Cooch Behar Municipality had added fencing and installed music system surrounding the Sagardighi a few years ago. The railings and the garden on its banks made it more beautiful. But, the state tourism department demolished the railings. The then Maharajas introduced a scientific drainage system but that was also destroyed.

 

Mrs Roy alleged that the tourism department was engaged in defacing the beauty of Sagardighi in the name of beautification during the last four years by wasting a huge amount of government money. But no one should be allowed to take it as an advantage to do anything to make the 'city of beauty' as an ugly one, she said. []