Approach road hurdle for bridge

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 25: Although the construction of a bridge for light vehicles over the Mahananda river that will connect Sahapur in Old Malda to English Bazaar town is nearing completion, its inauguration is uncertain owing to a dispute over approach road on the English Bazaar town side. A few days ago, the state PWD minister, Mr Kshiti Goswami, had visited the spot and discussed the matter with the officials and the political leaders. The minister found that three houses are obstructing the construction of the approach road. He instructed the Malda administration officials to acquire the land and, at the same time, take steps for the rehabilitation of the families who would be affected.Though it was decided that two separate single roads (for up and down separately) would be connected with the approach road, an objection raised by authorities of a reputed school made things difficult for the officials. Recently, an all-party meeting was held to discuss the issue and it was decided that a separate road would be constructed close to the District Sport Association field. The authorities of DSA, including some LF leaders, however, raised objections to the decision.They also organised a convention to protest against the move.“If the road is constructed, the DSA field would be affected,” they said. It may be recalled that chief minister Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee laid the foundation for the bridge nearly five years back.The PWD officials, meanwhile, are also facing difficulties in evicting the people for the construction of the approach road. #

Missing boy still untraced

MALDA, Feb. 25: Prakash Mondal (10), who was allegedly kidnapped from Manikpur village in Malda’s English Bazaar police station area last Friday, is still untraced. The English Bazaar police have detained three persons for interrogation in connection with the incident. “The family members of the victim have so far not lodged any complaint with us. However, we have collected necessary information regarding the incident. We are interrogating some people to trace the boy,” the Malda SP, Mr DK Mondal, said. It was learnt that Prakash was “kidnapped” last Friday when he was on way to home from his private tutor’s house. The father of the boy, a poor farmer, said he had no idea why his son was kidnapped. However, a neighbour of Prakash has been receiving calls on his cell phone from the kidnappers. “We would soon achieve a breakthrough,” Mr Mondal, claimed. SNS