Bridge inauguration likely in January

MALDA, Dec.18: The district administrative officials hope that they would be able to inaugurate the newly constructed bridge over the Mahananda river in January 2008, connecting Sahapur village in Old Malda with Malda town.
The PWD engineers were not in a position to build an approach road on the part of the Malda town at Baluchar due to lack of land. There was also a controversy regarding the eviction of slum dwellers and the demolition of a primary school for building the road.
On 14 December, the additional district magistrate, officials of the primary school council, the civic body officials and the leaders of the district sports association held a meeting and came to the conclusion that a plot of land would be provided to the primary school council for building the school, which will be shifted after the construction of the approach road. The district administration has identified a plot of land close to the district sports association ground for the primary school. There was a difference of opinion for the approach road from the local people to local councillors. Even the members of the district sports association raised objection over the selection of route connecting Malda town under English Bazaar Municipality area. The PWD minister, Mr. Kshiti Goswami, held a meeting here with the local leaders and the officials to sort out the problem, when the project was stalled after the acquisition of a part of land due to objections from the locals.
The district magistrate had to convene all the political parties meeting to seek cooperation on this issue.
It may be noted that the blueprint of the proposed approached road has been changed many times due to objections. Even the local councillor of the Trinamul Congress has objected yesterday, after the decision to shift the primary school was taken. Finally, after the intervention of the district administrative officials, the problem has been resolved.
The second bridge on the Mahananda has been built as an alternative route for people who come from Habibpur and Old Malda areas. SNS