Sinchel Lake upgrade to boost Darjeeling water supply

REZA PRADHAN

DARJEELING,: West Bengal Municipal Affairs and Women & Child Development Minister Agnimitra Paul on Monday said the renovation work of the Sinchel Lake water reservoir, which supplies water to Darjeeling town, is expected to be completed within the next one or two months.

Paul, who arrived in Darjeeling on Sunday evening, has been visiting various locations in the hills. She also held a review meeting with the administration on Sunday, attended by representatives of the administration, the three hill MLAs, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, Darjeeling Municipality Chairman Dipen Thakuri, and others.

“We visited Sinchel Lake today, where a renovation project is underway. Once completed, the reservoir will be able to store a large volume of drinking water. The work is progressing well, and we expect it to be completed within a month or two. It will help address the water scarcity problem in Darjeeling,” said Paul, adding that the project is being implemented under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme.

Bista, who accompanied the minister during her visits, said, “The North Sinchel Lake was built in 1910 and the South Sinchel Lake in 1932. They have served as the primary source of drinking water for the entire Darjeeling municipality. For decades, these water bodies did not receive any major maintenance. The Central Government has sanctioned Rs 60 crore for the Sinchel Lake Renovation and Development Project. This includes comprehensive renovation of both lakes and the construction of a new reservoir to enhance water storage capacity.”

“Once completed, these lakes will ensure a reliable, clean and sufficient supply of drinking water for Darjeeling,” he added.

Speaking on the issue of high-rise buildings, Paul said notices would be issued where necessary. She stated that while a large number of buildings in Darjeeling are high-rises and efforts could be made to bring them within government norms, structures constructed without proper planning and posing risks to public safety would not be overlooked.

The minister also visited the Mahakal Temple at Chowrasta, where she offered prayers, and later visited an ICDS centre at Happy Valley Tea Garden.

According to Bista, there are more than 3,000 Anganwadi centres in Darjeeling district, of which 1,510 are located in the hills. He said these centres are set to be modernised with improved infrastructure and transformed into centres for the holistic development of children and support for new parents.

The minister is also scheduled to visit Mirik.