MP, 27 June 2024, Kolkata: The Panchayats and Rural Development (P&RD) department is further streamlining its online process of building plan sanctions to rule out the involvement of Panchayat officials and employees in the process.
The move comes after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in an administrative meeting on Monday accused a section of officials of allowing illegal construction by accepting monetary favour.
The real estate boom is gradually creeping into Panchayat areas. Banerjee in the meeting alluded to such construction of buildings and said: “Buildings are coming up but in many places there is no space for a fire tender to enter in case of any incident. Some are accepting money and allowing such constructions. There should be a system for curbing this in the panchayat area.”
Now, though applications for building plans can be made online, there are various steps from application to approval where manual work is involved, thus necessitating reliance on employees and officials.
Hence, the department is streamlining its online system so that the entire process is in online mode. Building rules in rural areas are being integrated in the online system. Any deviation in the building plan will be detected in the system.
Senior officials of the P&RD department will be able to monitor the entire process centrally. The common application portal will also have facilities for certificates associated with the clearance of fire, water connection, power etc.
Now the applicant has to find a building surveyor on his own. With the streamlining of the portal, the state would furnish a list of blockwise licensed building surveyors (LBS).
The applicant can click on such a list of LBS in his concerned block and get assistance for the preparation of the building plan and submission of the same. The option for downloading the clearance certificate will also be integrated in the online system.
PTI, Imphal, Jun 25, 2024 : Protesters from the women’s wing of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) on Tuesday staged a rally in Imphal East district, urging both the central and state governments to swiftly resolve the ongoing crisis without compromising the state’s territorial and administrative integrity.
Displaying placards stating “no compromise to state integrity,” the demonstrators also went to the official residence of senior minister Thongam Biswajit in Sanjenthong, but he was not there.
Y Lairikleima, a leader of the women’s wing, criticised the perceived silence of elected representatives from their community.
She emphasised, “If they cannot stand up for the people and defend the state’s territorial and administrative integrity, they should resign.” Additionally, women protesters held another rally in Lamsang area, Imphal West district, and asserted that no village volunteers should face arrest and emphasised their opposition to any proposal for separate administration.
सेतोपाटी संवाददाता, काठमाडौं, असार १० : सर्लाही जिल्ला अदालतले बाल यौन दुरूपयोग मुद्दामा रामबहादुर बमजनलाई दोषी ठहर गरेको छ।
सोमबार न्यायाधीश जीवनकुमार भण्डारीको इजलासले दोषी ठहर गरेको स्रेस्तेदार सदन अधिकारीले जानकारी दिए। सजाय निर्धारण भने असार १७ गतेलाई तोकिएको उनले बताए।
उनका अनुसार अन्य दुई प्रतिवादी ज्ञानबहादुर र डिगबाहदुर सफाइ पाएका छन्।
रौतहटकी गंगामाया तामाङले आफू आश्रममा बस्दा बलात्कार गरेको आरोप लगाउँदै बमजनविरूद्ध जाहेरी दिएकी थिइन्।
बालबालिका सम्बन्धी ऐनको हद म्याद अनुसार उनीविरूद्ध मुद्दा दायर गरिएको थियो। आफू बालिका हुँदा भएको यौनशोषण तथा बलात्कारविरूद्ध १८ वर्ष पुगेपछि उजुरी दिन पाइने कानुनी व्यवस्था छ। गंगामायाले यही कानुनी व्यवस्था अनुसार १८ वर्षपुगेपछि जाहेरी दिएकी थिइन्। बमजनले २०७३ साल साउन २० गते आफूमाथि बलात्कार गरेको उनको आरोप थियो। उक्त जाहेरी परेपछि प्रहरीले अनुसन्धान अघि बढाएको थियो। प्रहरी अनुसन्धानप्रतिवेदनका आधारमा जिल्ला सरकारी वकिल कार्यालयले बमजनविरूद्ध १२ देखि १४ वर्षसम्म कैद सजाय र मनासिव क्षतिपूर्तिको माग गर्दै मुद्दा दायर गरेको थियो।
१४ वर्षदेखि १६ वर्षसम्मका बालिकालाई बलात्कार गरे १२ देखि १४ वर्षसम्मको कैद सजाय हुने कानुनी व्यवस्था छ।
गंगामायाले पहिलोपटक झण्डै ६ वर्षअघि काठमाडौंमा पत्रकार सम्मेलन गर्दै आफूमाथि बमजनले बलात्कार गरेको आरोप लगाएकी थिइन्। त्यसपछि सेतोपाटीले तीन महिना लामो अनुसन्धानपछि २०७५ साल पुस ११ गते बमजनका कर्तुतको फेहरिस्त तयार पारेर एकैसाथ चार स्टोरी प्रकाशित गरेको थियो।
सेतोपाटीमा समाचार प्रकाशन भएपछि आफ्ना छोरी, छोरा र बावु बेपत्ता पारेको भन्दै पाँचपरिवारले त्यतिवेलै प्रहरीमा उजुरी दिएका थिए। बमजन विरूद्ध विभिन्न प्रहरी कार्यालयमा आफ्नो आश्रममा बस्ने पाँच अनुयायीलाई बेपत्ता पारेको, तीमध्ये कम्तीमा एक जनाको हत्या गरेको लगायतका आरोप छन्।
उनलाई प्रहरीले गत पुस २४ गते बूढानीलकण्ठबाट पक्राउ गरेको थियो। पक्राउ परेका बमजनमाथि प्रहरीको केन्द्रीय अनुसन्धान व्यूरोले विभिन्न कसुरमा छानबिन गरिरहेको छ।
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‘Those who have stayed in the Holong Bungalow are familiar with the presence of rats. According to the primary report, the rats cut through the electric wires, leading to a short circuit’
Snehamoy Chakraborty, TT, Calcutta, 26.06.24 :
The Holong Bungalow in Alipurduar’s Jaldapara National Park.: Sourced by the Telegraph.
In Bihar they have acquired a reputation for swilling litres of liquor confiscated by the police. In north Bengal, now, they are becoming fabled as spitfires. Rats. What’s one to make of them?
A primary investigation by the forest department has blamed rats for the June 19 fire that gutted the 57-year-old wooden Holong Bungalow in Alipurduar’s Jaldapara National Park.
A source said a five-member committee, formed immediately after the fire at the bungalow that was once a favourite retreat of former chief minister Jyoti Basu, had suggested that rats had cut the electric wire, causing a short circuit that triggered the devastating fire.
However, the evidence is not conclusive as the building, and all wires, had been destroyed by the fire.
“Those who have stayed in the Holong Bungalow are familiar with the presence of rats. According to the primary report, the rats cut through the electric wires, leading to a short circuit. As the bungalow was made of wood, we got no time to save it,” forest minister Birbaha Hansda, to whom the committee has submitted its report, told The Telegraph.
The fire broke out around 9.30pm on June 19 at the conference hall of the bungalow and spread throughout the entire property.
Hansda said the forest department was waiting for reports submitted separately by the police and the fire and emergency services departments.
“The two agencies are conducting independent probes into the fire incident, and that is why we are waiting for their reports to see if they differ from ours,” she added.
The bungalow on the banks of the Holong stream was built in 1967 as a forest inspection house with eight double-bedded rooms. Five rooms are currently with the state tourism department and the remaining three are dedicated to forest officials on duty.
The Holong Bungalow was the first choice of tourists visiting the Dooars region because of its prime location, with frequent sightings of one-horned rhinos, elephants, leopards and deer. The animals visit the salt pit in front of the bungalow.
Apart from former chief minister Basu, Mamata Banerjee has also stayed at the property several times. Other important persons who have been to the
bungalow are former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, several of his cabinet colleagues, former governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi and author Samaresh Majumdar.
Initially, foresters had suspected that a short circuit from air-conditioners could be the source of the fire. However, during the investigation, the probe team found out that all the air-conditioners and geysers had been disconnected from the power source when the bungalow stopped taking in visitors on June 15 in keeping with annual protocol. Forest bungalows in Bengal cannot be booked for three months during the monsoon starting June 15 as this is the mating period for wild animals.
“However, the electricity connection had been kept on to illuminate the building, mainly the facade. After talking to the staff, we learnt that rats had previously created trouble by cutting power wires. That is why we find reason to believe that this time too such a thing has happened, resulting in a spark,” said a forest official.
A senior forest official in Jaldapara said the bungalow was infested with rats. “As the building is made of wood, there is a gap of a few inches between two layers of the walls. Hundreds of rats used to inhabit these spaces. That has been pointed out in the probe report,” a source who has gone through the findings said.
“As the building was old, the wood had become dry. That is why, despite 30 employees reaching the spot within five minutes of spotting the flames, they could not do anything to save it,” he added.
Hansda has said the government will reconstruct the Holong Bungalow and reopen it for tourists. However, a forest official said reconstruction needed permission from the National Board for Wildlife, a body headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
MP, 26 June 2024, Siliguri: Special Task Force (STP) of West Bengal arrested two men with contraband cough syrup worth Rs 4 crore at Jatiyakali area in Fulbari under New Jalpaiguri Police Station. The accused have been identified as Rohit Patel (23 years), Ramakant Kol (19 years), both residents of Madhya Pradesh.
On Monday night, based on secret information, the STF team of the Siliguri unit raided the area and intercepted a 14-wheeler truck loaded with pumpkins. A total of 36,000 bottles of contraband cough syrup were recovered from there.
The approximate market value of the seized contraband is more than Rs 4 crore.
STF sources said that the truck was carrying the contraband cough syrup from Madhya Pradesh to Guwahati, Assam, for delivery by hiding it under pumpkins.
Suspecting police nakas on the way, it started returning from Barovisha in Cooch Behar towards Siliguri. The truck was intercepted by the STF team when it was coming from the Jalpaiguri side. A police case has been started.
The Bengal CM reprimanded Gautam Deb, mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation for poor performance of the civic body
Avijit Sinha, TT, Siliguri, 25.06.24 : Gautam Deb, the mayor of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC), came in the line of fire of chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday.
On one hand, the chief minister reprimanded him for poor performance of the civic body. On the other hand, she asked Deb to be proactive in stopping the highhandedness of land mafias who are grabbing government land and making illegal constructions.
“We are well aware of what is happening in the Sevoke Road, Kawakhali and Dabgram-Fulbari areas. Mafias are grabbing and selling government land. We have initiated a probe and will not spare these people. Gautam (Deb), you are here and you can’t evade your responsibility,” said Mamata, while speaking at the meeting in Nabanna.
She also asked the mayor to not only demolish illegal constructions but also restore the original condition of such land.
“Be tough. Don’t allow such highhandedness. We have information that a section of policemen and some people in the land (and land reforms) department is also linked to these land mafias,” Mamata told Deb.
In Siliguri and surroundings, highhandedness of land mafias is a major issue which has not been addressed in a major way so far. Several complaints have been registered with the police and the administration regaring the operations of land sharks.
“These land mafias have voted the BJP. It is because of their support that the BJP has won,” said Mamata.
Mamata also said four civic bodies in north Bengal performed “worst.”
The SMC, she said, is one of the worst-performing civic bodies in the state in providing drinking water, along with Alipurduar municipality.
The SMC, Mamata pointed out, has also performed miserably in the field of housing (including its failure to control illegal construction), along with Raiganj municipality.
The Dalkhola civic body, on the other hand, has been included in the list of worst-performers in the parameter of cleanliness.
In the course of the meeting, Mamata also sneered at Rabindranath Ghosh, the civic chairman of Cooch Behar, for the decision to increase mutation charges and some other taxes.
“Who are you to increase the taxes? Such an increase cannot be done without the state’s approval,” said Mamata, while addressing Ghosh.
The chief minister was equally critical over the functioning of certain development authorities and said the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA), has been dissolved.
“Hundreds of people have been engaged at these authorities….they simply sit idle. This will not be tolerated. We have dissolved SJDA and handed over the responsibility to the DM (of Darjeeling),” she said.
MP, 24 June 2024, Siliguri: A 41-year-old man was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting his 14-year-old minor daughter in Siliguri. According to sources, the accused person used to physically torture his wife regularly.
Recently, when the wife went to her father’s house with her daughter, the minor confided in her mother about her father’s misdeeds.
Immediately, the mother lodged a written complaint at the police station and the police arrested him on Sunday night. In another incident, a 59-year-old man was arrested for allegedly raping a 14-year-old minor in Siliguri.
The accused has been identified as Satish Barman.
Sources said that the minor was left alone at home for a few days while her parents were away for work. During their absence, an elderly man from the neighbourhood allegedly assaulted her.
Upon their return, the minor informed her parents about the incident.
They lodged a complaint on June 12. The accused was arrested on Sunday night. Both the accused have been booked under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and produced at Jalpaiguri court on Monday.
PTI, 24 June 2024 : Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in northern West Bengal owing to a trough from Rajasthan to Bangladesh and strong moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal, officials said on Monday.
A warning was issued for landslides in the hill districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, and a rise in the water level of rivers such as Teesta, Jaldhaka, Sankosh and Torsa owing to the possible downpour, they said.
Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur are very likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall till June 28 owing to an east-west trough running from southeast Rajasthan to north Bangladesh and strong moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal, the Met Department said in its forecast.
After days of continuous downpour, there was a respite from the rains in the region.
Thunderstorms with lightning are likely to occur at a few places in southern West Bengal, especially in the coastal and adjoining districts, over the next few days, the Met Department said.
Azaleas are hardy plants and are known to flower twice a year in Darjeeling
Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, 24.06.24 : Darjeeling has set a date for a grand “Azalea Affair” on June 30 at Chowrasta.
People from different walks of life are preparing to plant hundreds of azaleas, a popular flowering plant of the rhododendron genus, along the popular Mall Road that starts and ends at Chowrasta in a bid to beautify the most popular promenade in town.
Azaleas are hardy plants and are known to flower twice a year in Darjeeling.
“Last year, I, along with Bandu Ratna Bomjon, was on our walk around Chowrasta on World Environment Day (June 5),” said Ananta Sharma, the brain behind the initiative.
The duo noticed that saplings were being planted haphazardly along the Mall Road. “They were bringing saplings by trucks; some people were planting them; some were taking the plants home. It was then that we discussed doing a systematic planting,” said Sharma.
Sharma soon posted the idea on social media and it was well received. “Even last year, we managed to plant many azaleas along the Mall Road.”
From educational institutions like St Teresa Girls Higher Secondary School to St Robert’s Higher Secondary School to non-government organisations like MARG, Hayden Hall, Vik-Run Foundation are contributing to buy saplings.
MP, 23 June 2024, Siliguri: A smuggler was arrested with a horn of rhinoceros before smuggling it to Nepal.
The accused has been identified as Ajit Kumar Singh, a resident of Manipur. According to forest sources, on Saturday night, Seema Suraksha Bal of 41 number battalion and foresters from Tukuriyajhar Forest Range arrested the person near Sat Bhaiya toll plaza under Naxalbari Block. The horn weighing 1.25 kg was recovered from the possession of the accused.
After that he was arrested and handed over to Naxalbari police. The horn was about to be smuggled in Nepal via Siliguri. The rhinoceros will be sent to the Zoological Survey of India for examination.
The arrested was sent to Siliguri Court on Sunday. Investigation is being conducted to find out if anyone else is involved in this incident.
Suraj Mukhiya, Range Officer of Tukuriyajhar said: “We are investigating the origin of the object. We suspect that more people are involved in the case. A detailed investigation is underway.” Meanwhile, a forest worker was killed when a wild elephant attacked him near Kalabari Forest under Naxalbari.
The incident happened in the wee hours on Saturday. The worker has been identified as Rajendra Roy, he was serving as an Aranyasathi in the Forest department.
According to forest sources, four forest workers were attempting to guide a group of elephants back into the forest near the Ashapur Tea Estate in Naxalbari when a wild elephant attacked them. While three of the workers managed to escape, Rajendra Roy was unable to evade the elephant and suffered severe injuries.
Forest officials rescued him and shifted him to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH), where he later succumbed to his injuries. The Forest department and local police are investigating the incident.
RAJESH SHARMA, EOI, JAIGAON, JUNE 23,2024 : The Jaigaon Police have busted a gang involved in smuggling drugs and intoxicants to Bhutan across the international border. Inspector Paljor Bhutia said on Sunday a large quantity of banned capsules and cough syrups had been seized at the check-post.
One person was arrested, a resident of Ghoksadanga in Cooch Behar but now staying in the Triveni Toll area of Jaigaon.
Based on the interrogation of the arrested person another man who used to arrange the supply of these drugs was also arrested on Sunday.
The wife of the supplier was a Bhutanese citizen. A phone seized from them had given clues about many Bhutanese citizens who used to buy these drugs.
Jeevan Prakash Sharma, Rediff News, June 22, 2024 : Driver unions, which contradicted the Railway Board when it prima facie blamed the now-deceased goods train driver for the deadly collision with the Kanchanjunga Express, have claimed they have fresh documents to prove his innocence.
IMAGE: Rescue operation underway at the Kanchenjunga Express train accident site, in Darjeeling on June 17, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo
They referred to authority letter T/369 (3B) issued to the goods train driver to cross the first two defective signals after the Ranipatra station premises with a 15 kmph speed restriction while the other authority letter — T/A 912 — did not mention any speed restriction.
Ten people, including the driver, lost their lives and 40 were injured in the accident near New Jalpaiguri on June 17. The employees’ unions had said that squarely blaming the driver, who is not alive to defend himself, amounts to making him a scapegoat for the systematic shortcomings of the Railways.
Indian Railway Loco Runningmen Organisation’s working president Sanjay Pandhi on Friday said, “T/A 912 was issued to all seven train drivers who passed Ranipatra station after 5.50 am to cross nine defective signals and it does not show any speed limit.”
“However, T/369 (3B), which was issued separately to cross two signals immediately after leaving Ranipatra station premise (also called starter and advanced starter signals), imposes a speed limit of 15 kmph,” he added.
Pandhi argued that the T/369 (3B) authority letter along with existing rules of driving during multiple signal failures prove that the goods train driver was right in crossing all defective signals at normal speed.
The Railway Board, in its initial response, said the goods’ train driver overshot the signal which caused the accident. Later, it emerged that the automatic signalling system had failed since 5:50 am on that day due to which all automatic signals between Ranipatra and Chattar Hat turned defective.
The station master of Ranipatra, following the railway operation norms, issued the authority letter T/A 912 to all train drivers to pass through defective signals.
Railway Unions such as IRLRO and All India Railwaymen’s Federation defended the deceased driver and said he had the authority letter to cross defective signals hence he was not at fault.
The Unions blamed the operating department of New Jalpaiguri for not ensuring that the section (route between Ranipatra and Chattar Hat) was clear before issuing T/A 912 to the goods train driver.
According to the Unions, when multiple signals in an automatic signalling system fail, safety norms dictate that the whole section should be converted into an absolute block system and only one train should be allowed at a time.
The Railway Board countered this argument, saying that even if the goods train driver was issued T/A 912, an authority to cross defective signals, he should have proceeded with a caution speed of 10 kmph with a one-minute stoppage at each red signal.
Five senior officials of a joint probe team held on June 18 that the goods train driver was guilty of violating signal aspects and speed restrictions. One official of the probe team gave a dissenting opinion and blamed the operating department of the New Jalpaiguri division.
Now, it has come to light that after the signalling failure at Ranipatra, authority letter T/369 (3B) was also issued to all drivers, asking them to pass two defective departure signals immediately after the station premises with a restrictive speed of 15 kmph.
A railway safety expert said, “T/369 (3B) is issued to train drivers when two signals (called starter and advanced started) that come immediately after the station premises turn defective. T/A 912 is issued for all other signals after these two signals till the home signal (an entry signal) of the next station.”
Pandhi said there were 11 signals between Ranipatra and Chattar Hat stations.
“If I put it in sequence, these 11 signals include Ranipatra station’s starter, advanced starter and automatic signals AS-654, AS-652, AS-650, AS-648, AS-646, AS-644, AS-642, AS-640 and AS-638. After all these signals, the Home Signal of Chattar Hat station comes,” Pandhi said.
“Now, if you see T/369 (3B), it tells the driver to pass the starter and advanced starter at 15 kmph speed and then T/A 912 tells the driver to pass the remaining nine signals without mentioning any speed limit. It is very much obvious that the driver will cross all these signals at normal speed,” he added.
Shiv Gopal Mishra, the general secretary of AIRF, said, “The station master should have ensured that the section is clear of any train before issuing these two authority letters. Maintaining precaution in a defective signalling system is everyone’s duty but the goods train driver should not be held responsible.”
The matter is now being investigated by the Commissioner of Railway Safety.
The official said the education department has received complaints that non-teaching employees at times forget to switch off lights, fans and other electric appliances after the classes are over or the campus shuts for the day
Subhankar Chowdhury, TT, Calcutta, 22.06.24 : The state education department has asked the district inspectors (DIs) of schools to be vigilant against consumption of power beyond school hours in government and government-aided schools and run random checks on campuses.
A notice addressed to the DIs and signed by the commissioner of school education says: “You are also requested to ensure visit in the schools under your jurisdiction beyond school hours by yourself and subordinate officials for random checks about any misuse of power consumption.”
The notice was issued on Thursday, hours after chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her dissatisfaction in a meeting over the alleged misuse of electricity in government offices and schools.
“The chief minister feels that if the office heads or institution heads remain cautious, the expenditure on electricity bills could be cut down to some extent,” said an official in the state primary education board.
The notice by the commissioner of school education says: “It has come to the knowledge at some places, the use of power/electricity is not efficient. At times, the misuse of power beyond class hours has been observed. It is thus be advised that all school authorities be communicated to remain extremely vigilant with regard to power consumption. Any unnecessary use of electricity must be avoided at each place.”
It further says: “You are also requested to ensure visit in the schools under your jurisdiction….”
The primary education board, secondary education board and the council of higher secondary education have been issued copies of the notice.
There are about 55,000 primary schools run or aided by the government in Bengal. The number of secondary and higher secondary schools run or aided by the government stands at close to 12,000 and 9,000, respectively.
“If misuse of power could be prevented at these institutions, a substantial amount of money could be saved,” said an official.
The official said the education department has received complaints that non-teaching employees at times forget to switch off lights, fans and other electric appliances after the classes are over or the campus shuts for the day.
“The teachers, too, stand accused of dereliction of duty,” the official said.
Swapan Mandal, the general secretary of the Bengal Teachers’ and Employees’ Association, said: “The schools are required to send data about their teachers or other information…. The work for that is done after classes. We have to keep lights and fans on for this work.”
Along NH10, cracks have developed beside the road on many stretches, prompting the police and the local administration to put guardrails and fluorescent tapes to keep vehicles away from the damaged portions
Teesta damages NH10 in Melli of Kalimpong district: Picture by Passang Yolmo
TT Bureau Malda, Siliguri, 22.06.24 : The heavy monsoonal downpour that triggered landslides in many parts of Sikkim also caused the Teesta to swell, which now is eroding mounds of earth from under NH10, the principal highway that connects Sikkim and Kalimpong with Siliguri and rest of the country.
Along NH10, cracks have developed beside the road on many stretches, prompting the police and the local administration to put guardrails and fluorescent tapes to keep vehicles away from the damaged portions.
“The Teesta is constantly eroding land in locations such as Melli, Teesta Bazaar and 28th Mile. Such erosion has led to cracks in the highway. If the water levels don’t recede and erosion continues, there is a risk of cave-ins. That is why, drivers have been advised to drive with caution,” said a source in the Kalimpong district administration.
Last October, when a flash flood occurred in the Teesta because of the glacial lake outburst flood in South Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim, the river had swept away many stretches of NH10.
“The stretches were eventually repaired and traffic resumed on the route. However, over the past couple of months, multiple landslides in Likhu Vir, Ravi Jhora and some other areas along the highway damaged the stretches again and disrupted connectivity,” the official added.
Now if there are cave-ins at the cracked parts, the stretches would get narrower and vehicles, especially heavy vehicles, would be forced to take detours, the official added.
Residents of Kesharpur village in Manikchak block, Malda, stand at the confluence of the Fulhar and Koshi rivers that started eroding land on Friday
The alternative route to Kalimpong and Sikkim — the most popular being the Gorubathan–Lava route — means an additional travel of at least 70km.
Sources in the state PWD which maintains the road said they were clearing debris caused by landslides. “However, permanent repair work can be carried out only after the weather conditions improve,” said a source.
Such recurring disruptions on the highway have prompted Raju Bista, the Darjeeling MP, to approach the Centre with the request that the Bengal stretch of the highway be handed over to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) or the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Along with residents and tourists, the highway is regularly used by defence forces to move to Sikkim, a mountainous state on the India-China border.
Right now, traffic is still moving on NH10, but vehicles can’t move on the road connecting Darjeeling with Kalimpong because the Teesta has inundated the Teesta Bazar stretch and flooded some houses.
“We are keeping a watch over the situation. People have been asked to be on alert and shift to safer places in case water levels rise,” an official said.
Malda erosion
In Malda district, two rain-fed rivers have started eroding land in parts of at least two blocks over the past two days.
Fulhar, sources said, has been eroding its banks in Harishchandrapur-II block since Thursday night. The erosion has left residents of Kowadol, Rashidpur, Uttar Bhakuria, Dakshin Bhakuria, Mirpara and Tantipara villages worried that the river would eventually gobble their land and homes.
“The river is flowing barely 100 metres away from my village,” said Alam Sheikh of Rashidpur.
Erosion has been reported at the confluence of the Fulhar and the Koshi. The rivers are flowing hardly 20 metres away from the embankment in Kesharpur village of Manikchak block.
“The rivers are eroding earth along a 200-metre-long stretch and water is steadily advancing towards the embankment. We are keeping our fingers crossed. If the embankment is breached, our village will be underwater,” said Birbal Mahato, a villager.
Pankaj Tramang, the subdivisional officer (Sadar) has visited the erosion-hit areas in Manikchak, said sources.
“Officials of the two blocks have been put on alert,” said a district administration official.
The 40th battalion of the BSF posted in Jalpaiguri district on Friday also evacuated residents of Singhpara village located on a dry bed of the Teesta river when residents reported that the swollen river had started gobbling land of their village.
On Tuesday night, the 57-year-old wooden bungalow, a popular destination of many prominent personalities, including former chief minister Jyoti Basu, was gutted in a blaze
The bungalow before the blaze at Holong in the Jaldapara National Park
TT Correspondent, Alipurduar, 21.06.24 : The reconstruction of the famous bungalow at Holong in the Jaldapara National Park of Alipurduar district depends on the approval of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) which is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior Bengal forest department officers said on Thursday.
On Tuesday night, the 57-year-old wooden bungalow, a popular destination of many prominent personalities, including former chief minister Jyoti Basu, was gutted in a blaze.
Debal Roy, the state’s chief wildlife warden (CWLW), visited the site on Thursday in Jaldapara — the largest habitat of one-horned rhinos in Bengal.
“As of now, we have no plan to reconstruct the bungalow in Holong. This is because such construction can be carried out only if the NBWL approves it. Police and some other agencies are probing the fire,” said Roy.
He, however, didn’t clarify whether the Bengal forest department would approach the NBWL with a proposal to rebuild the bungalow.
After the incident, many people have written posts on social media, seeking the reconstruction of the bungalow the way it was.
Sources in the forest department said construction of any property for commercial purposes — five rooms of the gutted bungalow were with the state tourism department and people could book rooms to stay there — is not allowed in reserve forest areas according to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
“When the bungalow was built (in 1967), the restriction was not there. But now, the decision has to be taken by the NBWL. Even if it is reconstructed, it would most likely be for the use of the department and not for visitors,” said a retired forest officer.
He said the forest bungalow at Jainti in the Buxa Tiger Reserve had also been damaged in a blaze. Later, it was reconstructed but only foresters could stay there.
“No commercial booking is available for this bungalow,” the former forester added.
Around 10 years ago, the state tourist department started constructing a bungalow at a location in Sajnekhali of the Sundarbans on a patch of forest land. Its construction was stopped by the NBWL.
“We understand the emotions of people… but we have to abide by the law,” said Roy, the CWLW.
On Wednesday, the department had constituted a five-member committee to investigate the fire. The team will reach the site soon.
MP irked
Manoj Tigga, the BJP MP of Alipurduar and the former MLA of Madarihat, in which Jaldapara is located, expressed his disgruntlement as foresters stopped him from visiting the gutted bungalow on Thursday.
When Tigga reached the entry gate, which is off Asian Highway 48 and around 8km from the bungalow, foresters posted there denied him permission.
“I wanted to speak with senior foresters to know how the fire broke out. But they didn’t allow me. It seems the department is trying to conceal something,” said Tigga.
The chief commissioner of railway safety (CCRS), Janak Kumar Garg, of the Northeast Frontier Circle has been investigating the incident in which a goods train rammed into the rear end of the Sealdah-bound Kanchenjunga Express near the Rangapani station of the Darjeeling district
Workers cover the mangled coaches at the accident site on Thursday: Picture by Passang Yolmo
Bireswar Banerjee, TT, Siliguri, 21.06.24 : The claim by loco pilots of the Northeast Frontier Railway that their training is deficient has gained ground as instructors and others associated with the zonal training centre of the NFR have been brought under the ambit of the probe into the collision of the two trains near Siliguri on Monday.
The chief commissioner of railway safety (CCRS), Janak Kumar Garg, of the Northeast Frontier Circle has been investigating the incident in which a goods train rammed into the rear end of the Sealdah-bound Kanchenjunga Express near the Rangapani station of the Darjeeling district.
“Those associated with the zonal training centre in Alipurduar have been called. Their statements would be recorded. In the course of the inquiry, all possible angles would be explored to find out what has led to the accident,” Surendra Kumar, the divisional railway manager of the Katihar division of the NFR, said on Thursday.
He said statements of 16 persons had been recorded since Wednesday.
After the accident, loco pilots and representatives of the All India Loco Running Staff Association had said although an automated signalling system had been introduced in the NFR, they were not trained properly.
“The loco pilots need proper training so that they can run trains along stretches where the automatic signalling has been introduced and also if the system is not running,” a representative of the association had said.
In the NFR, loco pilots are provided with practical training at the specialized loco training institute in Siliguri Junction station.
“The would-be loco pilots are trained for two months at the institute. After the training, he/she is declared eligible as an assistant loco pilot. In due course, he takes further training to be promoted as a loco pilot,” said a source.
In one batch, around 60 candidates can be trained at the institute.
From there, the candidates are sent to the Multi-Disciplinary Zonal Railway Training Institute in Alipurduar for further training.
Also, loco pilots, station managers and others working in different wings of the railways are provided with training at the centre.
The training modules include theoretical and practical classes and are followed by exams and interviews.
“According to the rule, a loco pilot has to pass the exam and the interview. Only then, he/she gets a certificate which mentions that the loco pilot or the assistant loco pilot is proficient to run trains along stretches where there is an automatic signalling system,” said a source.
A loco pilot based at NJP has said that as the instructors and others who provide training have been called for the inquiry, it is evident that the CCRS will record their statements to find out whether adequate training was provided to loco pilots, station managers and others associated with railway operations.
Kumar, the DRM, however, rejected the charge raised by loco pilots.
“Training is conducted systematically.” he said this evening.
GRP jawans walk near the accident site on Thursday: Picture by Passang Yolmo
TT Correspondent, Siliguri, 21.06.24 :
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has engaged workers at the accident site near the Rangapani station of Jalpaiguri district to place green-coloured meshes to cover the wreckage while the final repair of the tracks is in progress.
Mangled coaches and other debris were still lying at the site on Thursday when the workers placed the meshes.
“It will discourage curious onlookers from swarming the site. Also, trains are running along the route and passengers are standing near the doors to catch a glimpse of the wreckage. This is risky. That is why the wreckage has been covered,” said a source in the NFR.
After the mishap on Monday, railways restored train movement along the up track (the second track) around 5.40pm on the same day. Repairs were carried out throughout the night and on Tuesday morning, the down track where the accident had occurred was restored for movement of trains.
“However, some final repairs have to be done as trains are moving at a lower speed along the stretch. That work is going on at the site in an intermittent manner and trains are passing through the area with utmost caution,” the source added.
Personnel of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) have been posted at the site. Sources said they are using carbolic acid to keep themselves safe.
“It is raining these days and snakes can be seen near the site. That is why, necessary precautions are being taken,” said a source.
In the ADRM’s office in New Jalpaiguri, the hearing of railway staff continued for the second day today. A number of employees appeared before the chief commissioner of railway safety (CCRS) and got their statements recorded.
“Their statements, along with documentary evidence would be corroborated. The inquiry is likely to continue for some more time as various information has to be gathered,” said Surendra Kumar, the divisional railway manager of the Katihar division of the NFR.
The railway authorities are yet to talk to Manu Kumar, the assistant loco pilot of the goods train, who is under treatment.
“Our doctors will speak with doctors who are treating him to know his condition. Once he recovers, we will talk to him. His statement is vital as the loco pilot of the goods train has died in the accident,” said an official.
New trains
The NFR has decided to start two pairs of Garib Rath Express from July to connect Calcutta with the Northeast.
While a pair will run between Agartala and Kolkata stations, the other will connect Kolkata station with Guwahati.
Both would be weekly trains and will stop at different stations in Bengal and the Northeast.
“There will be 16 AC-III economy coaches in each train,” said an official.
