SAGARDIGHI

Sagardighi beautification begins

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 28: The long held up Sagardighi beautification drive has resumed again. The beautification work may be completed by six months, official sources said.

 

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. Now, it attracts a large number of migratory birds in every winter and morning walkers everyday.

 

District planning and rural development officer Mr Sunil Agarwala said the tourism department has extended Rs 50-lakh to the district administration for face lifting of the waterbody.

 

Under the fresh drive pavements are being constructed along the four sides of Sagardighi. Plantation of trees, replacing of old railings and setting up of fifty new lampposts on the four banks will also be done to beautify the large waterbody.

 

It may be mentioned here that the state tourism department recently handed over the responsibility of beatification of Sagardighi to the district administration of Cooch Behar as it failed to complete the job in the past four years. The agency that was working under tourism department reportedly left the job without completing it.

 

Senior citizens recalled that Cooch Behar Municipality had placed fencing and installed music system surrounding the Sagardighi a few years ago. The railings and the garden on its banks turned it more beautiful. But, in the name of beautification, the garden, the railings and the scientific drainage system were destroyed. A huge amount of government money was also misused, they alleged.