GTA, government to construct model houses in landslide-hit Mirik

DARJEELING: The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration has decided to work together with the state government to construct model houses at Mirik under Kurseong sub-division of Darjeeling district, which was recently hit by landslides that claimed several lives.

The GTA held a meeting with the district administration yesterday to discuss in detail the extent of damage caused by the July 1 landslides in Mirik and Kalimpong sub-divisions.

After the meeting, GTA chief executive Bimal Gurung said, "We had a comprehensive discussion with officials of the district administration to estimate the damage caused by the recent landslides."

The GTA chief executive said it could take another two to three days for the final comprehensive report to be prepared even though a preliminary one has already been made.

Reports, which are still being upgraded, also show that the July 1 disaster destroyed 503 houses completely and 1,414 partially in Mirik and Kalimpong, with the loss being estimated at more than Rs 27 crore in terms of property.

The GTA and the state government have identified a plot in Phuguri tea estate near Tingling in Mirik, for the initial construction of the model houses.

Gurung also said that he would be going to New Delhi in the first week of August to meet central ministers. "Central ministers and even the West Bengal chief minister visited Mirik indicating the urgency of the situation."

The GTA chief executive also said he would sit with the municipality chairmen of the three hill sub-divisions to discuss the drainage system.