Fulfilling a long-standing demand of the people of Siliguri, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday announced the construction of an international-standard cricket stadium in the city.
Addressing administrative officials and reporters at Uttarkanya, the state’s branch secretariat in Siliguri, Miss Banerjee said, “We have decided to set up a cricket stadium near Chandmoni Tea Estate, where a 27-acre plot has already been earmarked for the project.”
The chief minister further declared that the stadium would be named after Siliguri’s pride, Richa Ghosh, in recognition of her stellar performance in India’s recent Women’s World Cup victory. “Naming the stadium after Richa will be a tribute to her outstanding contribution to international cricket,” she said.
Miss Banerjee also announced the establishment of a Mahakal Temple in Siliguri, following the construction of the Jagannath Temple and the ongoing Durgaangan project. She said a trust has been constituted, and its members have been named to expedite the temple’s development. Additionally, she revealed that an international-level convention centre would be set up in Siliguri soon.
During her visit, the chief minister inaugurated several projects, including new health centres and crèches in tea plantation areas, and announced financial assistance for housing schemes, crop insurance, and distribution of agricultural kits for farmers and horticulturists affected by landslides and floods across north Bengal.
Criticising the Centre, she alleged that no central team had yet visited the flood and landslide-affected regions. Miss Banerjee also introduced new bus services for tea garden areas, including the allocation of ten buses to safely transport students from forest regions to schools.
