The Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) has distributed land pattas to 30 families displaced by the expansion of the National Highway from Matigara to Salugara. The initiative, led by Mayor Gautam Deb on Thursday, aims to provide alternative housing for those whose homes were demolished during the four-lane road widening project.
During a ceremony held at the SMC office, Mayor Deb and other officials handed over the land documents to the affected families from Ward Nos. 45 and 02. “This is a step toward ensuring that no family remains homeless due to infrastructure development. We are committed to providing these families with proper accommodation,” the mayor stated.
The displaced families have been allotted plots in Ward No. 46 by the state government. Mayor Deb also announced that they would soon receive homes under the Bengal Housing Scheme, which will further secure their housing needs.
Among the 31 families initially affected, one individual, Bina Rai, has passed away. Addressing the situation, Mayor Deb said, “If her family provides proof of their identity, they will also be given their rightful land. For now, land pattas have been distributed to 30 families.”
The road expansion project, which aims to enhance connectivity between Matigara and Salugara, displaced these families as part of the construction work. The municipal corporation’s swift action to reallocate land demonstrates its commitment to mitigating the impact of development on local residents.
The families expressed gratitude for the land allotment but are eager for the promised homes under the state housing scheme. The initiative reflects the government’s dual commitment to infrastructure development and social welfare.
