CM announces development packages for Melli

Eco-friendly footpath to come up along Teesta bank studded with water fountains, street lights & fishing points

SUREN MOHRA

NAMCHI, October 11: Melli, an important yet neglected entry point to South and West Sikkim, is set for a revamp with Chief Minister Pawan Chamling announcing a slew of tourism, beautification and urbanization integrated packages for this sleeping town during his tour yesterday.
Speaking about his intentions to usher in new age development for Melli so that this old town of the State catches up with the rapidly developing other urban areas of the State especially its Rangpo counterpart, the Chief Minister said that Melli figures prominently in the beautification plays of the State government.
The Chief Minister had reached Melli after completing a recce of Ranipool, Singtam and Rangpo to explore the tourism, industry and beautification potential of these areas.
Keeping in line with the Gangtok beautification drive, Mr. Chamling announced a similar drive for Melli while giving the directions to the accompanying ministers and bureaucrats to prepare DPRs. He also directed the authorities for setting up an eco-friendly footpath along the Teesta river bank below Melli bazaar. Street lights, recreation centre and water fountain should be set up along the footpath to boost tourism of Melli and Sikkim, he said. He also issued directions for setting up fishing points at various points of the eco-friendly footpath running along the Teesta river below the bazaar area.
For Melli residents, Mr. Chamling announced that a fire station will be set up in the bazaar along with a multi-purpose community centre. A horticulture packaging centre will also come up here, he said during his tour.
The Chief Minister also passed directions for road widening works from Melli check post to bazaar area and erecting a welcome gate before the bazaar area. He also announced that the sewerage system of Melli bazaar will be revamped and modernized. He also promised to restore the Shiva Mandir in the area which had been established in 1933.
Mr. Chamling promised to provide all modern facilities to the Melli secondary school and directed the officials to process the necessary paperwork.
During his interaction with the local people, the Chief Minister underlined the need to maintain the image of Sikkim as a peaceful State. We must shed our personal interests and work for the holistic development of Sikkim, he said appealing all to come forward and commit themselves to the vision and programmes of the State government.
The Chief Minister completed his three hour long tour of Melli after giving a patient hearing to the grievances of the local people

sOURCE: (SE)