Thursday, Oct 09, 2025 19:15 [IST]
Last Update: Thursday, Oct 09, 2025 02:13 [IST]
DARJEELING, : Union Parliamentary Affairs
minister Kiren Rijiju today emphasised on the resettlement of victims along with
rebuilding of the infrastructure damaged by the landslides in the Hills last
week.
Rijiju, who visited Bijanbari-Pulbazaararea
today, to assess the extensive damage caused by the landslides, stated, “I feel
that we should increase the scale of assistance being provided. Compensation
has been provided for those who have lost their lives. There is now the need
for rehabilitation for those who have been rescued, which is a great challenge
for which a mapping should be done by the State government. They should see how
to utilize the funds that come through the SDRF.”
However, Rijiju added,
provisions reconstruction of bridges and the highways are not there under the
SDRF.
“The main bridge in Bijanbari has
been damaged and to rebuild it, there is a need of special assistance. The
State government should prepare a DPR and make a proposal for it. The
assistance that is provided by the Central government is given to the State
government on an overall basis as they have to carry out the execution
process,” he said while maintaining that in natural calamities, everyone,
irrespective of political difference, should come forward.
The bridge at Pulbazaar
collapsed due to incessant rainfall on the intervening night of October 4 and
October 5. The damage of the bridge has
severed the connection of Thana Line and the entire Bijanbari region from the
main highway.
Darjeelig MP RajuBista, who
accompanied the Union Minister today, maintained that Bijanbari being a major
agricultural belt of Darjeeling was now facing a grave threat to its rural
economy.
“The collapse of the bridge has
endangered the livelihoods of communities dependent on farming, animal
husbandry, dairy production, and allied sectors,” said Bista in a press
release.
The body of Upendra Kumar, who
had gone missing in Bijanbari-Pulbazar area during the calamity, was recovered
Tuesday after three days.
