Siliguri: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday chaired an administrative review meeting at Siliguri in Darjeeling district and announced a package for healthcare and tourism in the hill regions of North Bengal, news agency IANS reported. The foundation stone of the Kalimpong Medical College and Hospital will be laid on December 9, 2027, he announced.

Source: IANS

The Chief Minister said extensive repairs, modernisation and infrastructural improvements would be carried out at the sub-division and district hospitals of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Mirik and Siliguri, so that people in the region do not have to travel elsewhere for proper treatment.

Source: IANS

The meeting also approved a 21-kilometre ropeway project connecting Darjeeling and Kurseong. According to the Chief Minister, the ropeway would relieve severe traffic congestion on the mountain roads and make travel easier for residents and for tourists from India and abroad, Nation Press reported in its account of the same announcements.

Source: Nation Press

Dec 9, 2027Kalimpong Medical College foundation stone
21 kmApproved Darjeeling–Kurseong ropeway
Rs 19 croreMahakal Temple premises, Darjeeling

Adhikari also directed that repair and renovation of all government tourist lodges in the region be completed at the earliest, and gave the green signal to upgrade Lebong Ground into a modern stadium of international standards for the sports-loving youth of the hills. An allocation of Rs 19 crore was announced for the beautification, infrastructural transformation and regular maintenance of the Mahakal Temple premises in Darjeeling.

Thanking the Chief Minister, BJP Lok Sabha member from Darjeeling Raju Bista said the expansion of communication systems, health services, sports and spiritual tourism would create employment opportunities for local youth and transform the economic landscape of North Bengal, both reports said. No timeline was announced for the ropeway or the tourist-lodge renovations.