Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority was established in 1980. Siliguri is situated in the foothills of Himalayas on the banks of the river Mahananda. Siliguri is bound by Kurseong on the north, Bangladesh on the south, Jalpaiguri on the east and Nepal on the west. Jalpaiguri is situated on the western bank of the river Teesta at 26° 32' N latitude and 88° 43' E longitude. It is the administrative headquarters of Jalpaiguri Division and Jalpaiguri district. The river Karala divides the town in two halves.

Info from here (http://www.sjda.org/about-us/index.html)

With the previous and the new government laying stress on development of this area, hopefully there will be more planned urban development.

A satellite image of a section of Siliguri where the Ambuja township is coming up

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/2756/siligurisatellite1.jpg (http://img607.imageshack.us/i/siligurisatellite1.jpg/)

Siliguri IT Park

photo copyright WebelKolkata

http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/369/siliguriitparkwebels.jpg (http://img28.imageshack.us/i/siliguriitparkwebels.jpg/)


View from the IT Park

photo copyright WebelKolkata

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/7418/siliguriviewwebelssc.jpg (http://img695.imageshack.us/i/siliguriviewwebelssc.jpg/)

TOI's view point

Much harder climb, up north

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-08/kolkata/29751368_1_north-bengal-sjda-commercial-hub

For over two decades, Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri (NJP) in North Bengal have nursed the aspiration of developing into metropolis along the Hyerabad-Secunderabad model. But little has happened beyond setting up quasi government bodies that barely pottered about.

The Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA) had raised expectations only to let down the people. It lacked vision and turned into a mere promoting body, acquiring land and selling it at a premium to realty firms or businessmen.

Politicians, administrators and town planners seem to belatedly realize that a radical change is needed in the way SJDA functions. And the change has to happen urgently. Because if the bodies persist with their lackluster performance till the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission scheme shuts shop in March 2012, the cash-strapped state will be left wringing its hands at the lost opportunity.

To begin with, money is needed to upgrade the infrastructure. With a growing population and crumbling infrastructure, Siliguri is bursting at the seams. The sleepy town of Jalpaiguri is trapped in a bygone era and needs multiple booster shots to get moving.

North Bengal development affairs minister Goutam Deb wants to take things head on to break the stalemate. "Merging the two towns is imperative if Siliguri is to survive as a commercial and trading hub. The region has been neglected for long. We have to go on an overdrive," he said. But mere merging of the twin towns will not help, say experts. If the government is really serious about elevating Siliguri-NJP into an A1 city, it has to be developed into an administrative hub for north Bengal.

"Siliguri will remain the commercial hub as it has a strategic geographical advantage. The government should set up the North Bengal secretariat and high court bench in Jalpaiguri. Land has been identified for industrialisation at Dabgram, Fatapukur and Raninagar. All that is needed is to create adequate infrastructure to make them attractive destinations for investors," says economist Manas Das Gupta.

He believes Siliguri and NJP will merge in 10 years, given the acute pressure on Siliguri. But that will be a piecemeal growth lacking in planned development. "If the government wants to expedite the process, they must display a vision removed from politics and sectarian bias," Das Gupta adds.

News from 2010

Private rush in Siliguri for super-special health care

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100505/jsp/siliguri/story_12412718.jsp

Siliguri is fast inching towards becoming a major health hub in the state after Calcutta with private players keen on providing advanced health care services.

In the past one year, several entrepreneurs have forayed into hospital business in Siliguri. Cardiologist Devi Shetty of Narayana Hrudayalaya in Bangalore had laid the foundation stone of a 1,000-bed hospital on February 14, 2009 at Himanchal Bihar in Matigara with a focus on sophisticated treatment for heart patients.

The same month, the Advanced Medicare Research Institute (AMRI) acquired 1.7 acres of land for a multi-speciality hospital specialising in renal ailments at Kawakhali Township.

On April 10, 2010, the foundation stone was laid for a 250-bed hospital of the Neotia Healthcare Initiative Limited on a plot of 3.19 acres at Uttorayon.

The strategic location of Siliguri with three countries in the vicinity makes the town a preferred destination for medical entrepreneurs.

Siliguri IT Park


any takers for this?

any takers for this?


Feb 2011

Hinduja in Siliguri

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110201/jsp/siliguri/story_13518345.jsp

The state government today granted permission to the BPO arm of the Hinduja group to start operations from the Siliguri IT Park, opening up around 1,000 job opportunities in north Bengal.

“The Hinduja Global Solutions Limited (HGSL) was allotted three-floor space at the park. The company’s entry to Siliguri is a big boost to the state’s IT development, more so for north Bengal,” said state IT minister Debesh Das at Writers’ Buildings this afternoon.

Sources said the HGSL would start operations in six months and generate more than 1,000 jobs. The Siliguri centre will support the company’s clients in telecom industry and offer customer services in six languages.

The first phase of the IT park at Matigara is complete, while the work on the second phase is in progress.

Partha Sarkar, the chief executive officer of the HGSL, said the Siliguri centre would be the company’s third such venture in Bengal. “The success of the two centres at Durgapur and the support provided by the government have encouraged us to explore fresh investment opportunities in Bengal.”

naicee :cheers:

The Coronation bridge's new paint job (not sure pink is looking good)

2010

photo copyright Bhatto (http://www.flickr.com/photos/63783963@N00/4735972672/)

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/9685/coronationoldbhatto.jpg (http://img811.imageshack.us/i/coronationoldbhatto.jpg/)


2011

photo copyright paglaghora@indiamike (http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/54534)

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8828/siliguricoronationpagla.jpg (http://img10.imageshack.us/i/siliguricoronationpagla.jpg/)

Bagdogra Customs Airport:

Airlines: Air India, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, Go Air, Spicejet, Druk Air

photo copyright Vikas Goyal

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/3135/bagdogracustomsairportv.jpg (http://img593.imageshack.us/i/bagdogracustomsairportv.jpg/)

photo copyright Slavek Piskaty (https://picasaweb.google.com/spiskaty/BhutanFotky#5619217436202356482)

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/8987/bagdograslavekpistakys.jpg (http://img607.imageshack.us/i/bagdograslavekpistakys.jpg/)

photo copyright Anandamay (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44243855@N06/5203908133/)

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/1637/bagdograairportanandamar.jpg (http://img33.imageshack.us/i/bagdograairportanandamar.jpg/)

A satellite image of a section of Siliguri where the Ambuja township is coming up

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/2756/siligurisatellite1.jpg (http://img607.imageshack.us/i/siligurisatellite1.jpg/)

this is of 2010???..........in 2006 i visited this site, that tym dad's firm was a part of this project, sadly cant see any major difference since that time, other than the IT park and city centre!!

this is of 2010???..........in 2006 i visited this site, that tym dad's firm was a part of this project, sadly cant see any major difference since that time, other than the IT park and city centre!!

It may not be a 2010 image.

The Coronation bridge's new paint job (not sure pink is looking good)

2010

photo copyright Bhatto (http://www.flickr.com/photos/63783963@N00/4735972672/)

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/9685/coronationoldbhatto.jpg


2011

photo copyright paglaghora@indiamike (http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/54534)

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8828/siliguricoronationpagla.jpg

May not be the best colour but certainly look better than before.

Bagdogra Customs Airport:

Airlines: Air India, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, Go Air, Spicejet, Druk Air

photo copyright Vikas Goyal

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/3135/bagdogracustomsairportv.jpg (http://img593.imageshack.us/i/bagdogracustomsairportv.jpg/)

photo copyright Slavek Piskaty (https://picasaweb.google.com/spiskaty/BhutanFotky#5619217436202356482)

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/8987/bagdograslavekpistakys.jpg (http://img607.imageshack.us/i/bagdograslavekpistakys.jpg/)

photo copyright Anandamay (http://www.flickr.com/photos/44243855@N06/5203908133/)

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/1637/bagdograairportanandamar.jpg (http://img33.imageshack.us/i/bagdograairportanandamar.jpg/)

^^ Thanx a ton sun, for initiating a thread on siliguri...that place seriously needs upgradation in infrastructure, possibly it can surly turn out to be a city of dreams....where beauty & business come together :okay:

Speaking about Bagdogra airport, it does need better services & another runway. By improving infra there, it can be converted into an international one as well, I hope. That can help tourism, industry & business a whole lot. :)

Kanchanjanga Integrated Park is spread over 125 acres in a holistic environment. It is characterized by well defined Industrial, Commercial, Residential & Social Zones. The Park has been designed by internationally renowned architects, Surbana Corporation, Singapore.

Total Build Up Area is 3 Million sq feet. Total Land Area is 124.5 Acres 62 acres of industry 31 acres Residential/ Commercial/ Social/ Institutional 31 acres Landscaping/ Roads/ Water Bodies.

http://www.shristihousing.com/kanchan-janga-integrated-park.php

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/6210/kanchanjangauntegratedp.jpg (http://img825.imageshack.us/i/kanchanjangauntegratedp.jpg/)

Winds of change

http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=357900&catid=57

WINDS of change have started blowing across Siliguri, the significant trading destination in the North-eastern region of India. The town is strategically positioned in the foothills of the Himalayas and serves as a gateway to the sub-continent, including countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and China. The second most important destination in West Bengal, Siliguri has transformed from a tiny agrarian hamlet into one of the fastest growing townships in the country within a span of six decades and is marching ahead in the race of development in improving its infrastructure.
The town boasts large expanses of open, green spaces and water bodies and is well-connected with the major Indian cities through National Highway 31.
A convenient stopover for tourists heading to Darjeeling and Dooars, Siliguri has gets around 200,000 domestic tourists and 15,000 global visitors round the year. With Bagdogra Airport gearing up with new flight connectivity, the place is poised for takeoff in the new decade.

Siliguri has witnessed a makeover with the advent of mall culture and there are impressive shopping centres like Cosmos, Orbit and City Centre that deserve mention. The town has taken a giant leap in the development of multiplexes and has received the first group of the same, like Cinemax, Inox at Orbit and Big Cinemas.

The retail sector, too, is fast catching up with the emergence of Spencer’s, Pantaloons and Big Bazaar. There is the Ambuja Group’s City Centre that will have a multiplex, mall, commercial and retail space, club, convention centre as well as banquet facilities, hotels and an amphitheatre. Savin Kingdom with an entertainment park and a multiplex is another popular hangout joint for the hip crowd.

The state government is bent on developing Siliguri that serves as the nerve centre of North Bengal into an alternative Infotech destination and the major initiatives of the government include the setting up of the Webel Information Technology Park, Information Technology Park at Matigara, Rungta IT Park and the Infinity IT Park.

With the Jain Group foraying into the city with its “Dream Hotel”, Siliguri is all set to get its premier five-star haunt by 2014. Shrayans Jain, vice-president, Jain Group, says, “Siliguri has emerged as one of the strongest retail network centres in the North-east and the supply chain in the eastern Himalayan towns and resorts is routed through Siliguri. The city offers a plethora of scope in real estate, IT, tourism, healthcare and infrastructure verticals. We are looking ahead to begin work on our five-star haunt in the last quarter of this year.”

Another hospitality player, the Panoramic Group is eyeing to enter Siliguri and Darjeeling. The healthcare sector, too, is receiving a boost with the Bhagirathi Neotia group flagging off a super speciality healthcare centre.

The development of the real estate sector began with the emergence of Uttarayan, the first planned township in Siliguri set over 400 acres on National Highway 31, which was soon followed by a housing-cum-commercial project on two lakh sq/ft of the Asian Group on Sevoke Road.
Bengal Shristi is setting up its signature creation with the Kanchanjunga Integrated Park comprising both residential and commercial sectors including offices, retail outlets and recreation centres.

The Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority is into developing much-needed infrastructure in Siliguri and Jalpaiguri. It is building Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminal in Siliguri, the Netaji Terminal in Jalpaiguri, the Fulbari Ghospukur Byepass, the Third Mahananda Bridge and an Inland Container Depot.

Tea Board has proposed to come up with a tea processing park on 100 acres of land in Siliguri in order to promote tea export. Also on the anvil is a food processing park at Leusipukri in the vicinity of Siliguri. Very soon, the town will get an industrial park — an initiative of Sumeru Estates

Quantum IT Park

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/1004/quantumitparkrungtasili.jpg (http://img197.imageshack.us/i/quantumitparkrungtasili.jpg/)

Dream Valley Project

http://www.thejaingroup.com/busi_real_dream_valley.html

Renders

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/517/dr4eamvalleysiliguri.jpg (http://img13.imageshack.us/i/dr4eamvalleysiliguri.jpg/)

3D Model

SVxME058MVo

Hotel in Dream Valley Project

Render from Raj Agarawal & Associates

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/3125/siligurihoteljain.jpg (http://img233.imageshack.us/i/siligurihoteljain.jpg/)

North City

http://www.northcity.in/Discover-North-City.asp

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/959/northcitysiliguri.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/northcitysiliguri.jpg/)

Source: agrawalarchitects.com/projects/mlacropolis.html

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv214/SarafIndian3/MLACROPOLIS.jpg

M.L. ACROPOLIS
Location: Siliguri
Status: Under Construction

Jain Reality Project, Siliguri (rajagarwalandassociates.com/highresi.html)

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv214/SarafIndian3/sili_jain_realty2.jpg

Which township is this in Siliguri (near North Bengal Medical College)?

2004
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/5396/siliguri12004.jpg (http://img98.imageshack.us/i/siliguri12004.jpg/)


2011

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/7492/siliguri12011.jpg (http://img819.imageshack.us/i/siliguri12011.jpg/)

^^ Nice update Sun. Looks like other side of the phulbari panchayat area(?). There used to be thousands of acres of vacant land (Jungle, army land etc). Not sure about the project though..

^^ Nice update Sun. Looks like other side of the phulbari panchayat area(?). There used to be thousands of acres of vacant land (Jungle, army land etc). Not sure about the project though..

In SJDA website it is just mentioned as new township.

^^....check in wikimapia...it must be tagged there...

^^....check in wikimapia...it must be tagged there...

It says "New Township".

City Centre, Siliguri

photo copyright yoyocapo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/yoyocapo/5730871116/)

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/7971/citycentresiliguriyoyoc.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/citycentresiliguriyoyoc.jpg/)

photo copyright Vidyut Gupta (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/55699707)

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/8164/stxavierscollegesiligur.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/844/stxavierscollegesiligur.jpg/)


St. Xavier’s to go places

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110713/jsp/calcutta/story_14225835.jsp

St. Xavier’s Calcutta will partner the government to turn the St. Xavier’s College in Rajgunj into a centre of excellence.

The 15-acre campus at Rajgunj, 21km from Siliguri, was set up three years ago and offers three undergraduate humanities courses, three undergraduate science courses, BCom and BBA.

“North Bengal development minister Gautam Deb had met me after my visit to the chief minister last month and asked me if St. Xavier’s College could set up a centre of excellence there. I told them that we already had a St. Xavier’s there that could be turned into a centre of excellence,” said Father Raj.

To become a centre of excellence, the Rajgunj campus will need hostels for girls and boys, laboratories, more buildings and sports facilities.

“We have requested a meeting with both the north Bengal development minister and the higher education minister to discuss how this can be done. Principals of both colleges will be present at the meeting,” said Father Raj.

^^So Xavi is now in Siliguri also??

^^So Xavi is now in Siliguri also??

At Rajganj - between Siliguri and Jalpaiguri.

http://www.nbsxc.edu.in/index.html

Jesuit Institutions of Higher Learning in India

St. Xavier's College, Kolkata, West Bengal.
St. Joseph's College, North Point, Darjeeling, West Bengal.
North Bengal St. Xavier's College, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal.
St. Xavier's College, Ranchi, Jharkhand.
Xavier Labour Relations Institute, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.
Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, Orissa.
St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Loyola College, Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh.
Loyola College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
St. Joseph's College, Bangalore, Karnataka.

You can skip to 00:55 if you want; At 2:30 City Centre Mall

Single coach Rail bus Inaugural run between Siliguri to Bagdogra

Video by sighalarvind

X8ejNWozmtQ

An interesting picture of Siliguri Jn from ABP - all three rail gauges - narrow, metre, broad

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/7816/siliguristationabp.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/823/siliguristationabp.jpg/)

^^ Wow! The City Centre siliguri looks just like CC Saltlake. Another grand mall..:cheers:

the railbus looks like a AL stag bus from front..it even has a conductor...it seems like a bus which will run on railway track...aisa kya??

Is it a rail project or State project??...can see TMC trademarks here also...;)..so the train will pass from matigara...Is it a non-stop bus??

^^ Wow! The City Centre siliguri looks just like CC Saltlake. Another grand mall..:cheers:

It is the largest of all City Center (existing and planned).

http://i53.tinypic.com/nyaav5.jpg

Source: Anandabazar

Somewhere in Jalpaiguri..

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv214/SarafIndian3/12sil02.jpg

Mithun’s Monarch comes to Siliguri (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110812/jsp/siliguri/story_14369550.jsp)


http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv214/SarafIndian3/12nblhotel.jpg

Siliguri, Aug. 11: The Monarch has come to town and Siliguri can boast of a Mithun connection.

Mithun Chakraborty today inaugurated Hotel Monarch Aachal in Shivmandir, a collaboration between Siliguri-based businessman Tapan Das and the actor’s Monarch Group of Hotels based in Ooty.

People had started gathering outside the hotel 10km from here since 2pm for a glimpse of the actor. By evening, the crowd swelled to more than 500 people causing traffic jam on NH31.

The actor obliged his fans only after 6pm when he appeared on the hotel porch and waved at them.

Later while answering queries from guests and media at the banquet hall, the actor said he would be frequenting Siliguri more, now that a unit of the Monarch hotels has been opened here.

“Tapan is a friend and he had been insisting on opening a franchisee of my hotels here. I can see that he has built a beautiful hotel and hope that it will maintain the standards of the Monarch Group. I will be looking after the administration and provide consultancy as and when he requires it. Now that a Monarch hotel is here, I will frequent Siliguri more often,” he said.

The three-storey hotel has three restaurants that offer Continental, Indian and Bengali cusines, 34 rooms and banquet and conference halls. A swimming pool, spa, gym and hair saloon will be added later.
..

Photo cc S.a.b.y.a.s.a.c.h.i

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6141/6039212882_ecb15c0637_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/6038663189_1657d4a4bd_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/6039212184_5614e72f74_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6138/6038662387_9f9dbee424_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/6039211332_1b8f1ea393_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/6039207796_0dcc65cac5_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6132/6038663853_2079e128be_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6038661307_09e7c4fd24_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/6038660885_dc84f7d21b_b.jpg


Photo cc ChitaliCCU

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6050442350_c58e07f3f5_b.jpg

Siliguri fast becoming a medical hub for Nepalese patients. (http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/238498)

Siliguri (West Bengal), Sep.2 (ANI): Siliguri located near the India-Nepal border is fast becoming a medical hub for adjoining areas, especially for Nepalese patients.

The strategic location of the city makes it a base for essential supplies to the above regions and this has helped the city gradually develop as a profitable center for a variety of businesses.

As India and Nepal share an open border, the city has also emerged as a medical hub in the region.

Many Nepalese travel regularly across the border to India for better and affordable medical treatment, which is not readily available in Nepal. Like Dhana Pati Pastula, from Dharan district of Nepal.

"I have come from Nepal to get better medical treatment here (India). I have already been here twice earlier and I have come back again. In Nepal I could not get proper treatment. This time I have brought other family members as well. We do not have the required number of doctors in Nepal and the treatment is also very expensive. But here the treatment is very cheap, that is why I have come here."

Various hospitals and nursing homes in Siliguri provide medical facilities and treatment to the patients. According to Dr. Rajib Sukla, frfom one such nursing home- Arogya Niketan - 40 percent of their patients are from Nepal, as there is a shortage of medical institutions and other healthcare facilities in many parts of the country.

"In Nepal medical facilities are available but only in central areas. But peripheral areas are left out, as it requires huge investments for a hospital setup. So, all types of investigative tests and treatments are not available across the country. Hence Siliguri has emerged as a medical hub for the adjoining areas. Siliguri has many types of hospitals. Many patients come here from all over the region and far flung places as they get better facilities here," said Dr. Rajib Sukla, Arogya Niketan Nursing Home.

Cultural similarities between India and Nepal and open borders with no restrictions on the movement of people on either side, have helped such patients, who require immediate attention. And for Sajjan Dalmiya, director of Arogya Niketan, this provides an opportunity to help others.

"For the future we want to do ten operations free of cost instead of the current five, so that people coming in from Nepal get full advantage. We always planned it like this so that people coming from a foreign country feel comfortable and come here more often. If there is a shortage of medical facilities in their countries, they can get the benefits here."

With rapidly growing medical infrastructure and its strategic location, Siliguri is transforming into a healthcare hub. (ANI)

Website: www.abiranirman.com

Siliguri Complex

An eye dazzling office building with G+10 storeys
An advantage position of Burdwan Road, Siliguri, W.B.
36.57% of proposed ground coverage
A total floor area of 7908.29
80 car parking facility with 30 m wide road

http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/vv214/SarafIndian3/siliguri_main.jpg

Siliguri IT Park (Proposed) (http://www.infinityitpark.in/?page_id=97)


Infinity is promoting an IT SEZ at Siliguri in partnership with “Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA)” under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. The IT Park shall be located at a prime location in Siliguri on a land area of 25 acres. The property will be built up in phases to develop approximately 40 lakhs sq ft of built-up space for IT & ITeS industries. The IT Park, slated to be biggest in the region shall consist of mainly IT space together with commercial area and service area catering to and supplementing the IT / ITes office. The proposed IT SEZ is expected to be a big catalyst for the development of IT / ITes industry in West Bengal.
Area : (B+G+15)

Total Area including Car Park : 38,70,205 Sq. Ft.
Car Parking Space : 1482 nos
http://www.infinityitpark.in/wp-content/uploads/projectimages/97/001.jpg
cc infinity

wow !!!!...this one looks awesome !!!!!

A train launched by Mamata Banerjee at New Jalpaiguri.

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/3746/getimagemv.jpg

Siliguri Complex really looks awesome..!!! :okay:

North CIty

photo copyright Durjoy Ghosh (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/64089191)

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/4616/siligurinorthcutydurjoy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/714/siligurinorthcutydurjoy.jpg/)

^^ Thanx a ton sun, for initiating a thread on siliguri...that place seriously needs upgradation in infrastructure, possibly it can surly turn out to be a city of dreams....where beauty & business come together :okay:

Speaking about Bagdogra airport, it does need better services & another runway. By improving infra there, it can be converted into an international one as well, I hope. That can help tourism, industry & business a whole lot. :)

I always become nostalgic after seeing the bagdogra and NJP station.When i was a kid i used to study in Darjeeling and hence those two places have a special place in my heart...

Photo cc S.a.b.y.a.s.a.c.h.i



Photo cc ChitaliCCU

The mall looks as good as the Saltlake one but cant imagine how crowded or occupied the mall must be.I dont think too many siligurians would hangout there.Or mayb do they...Dnt know

Max, the lifestyle apparel brand of Lifestyle International is planning aggressive expansion in tier II and tier III cities across Indian by opening 20 new stores with an investment of Rs 100 crore by the end of financial year 2013-14.

“We are in affordable fashion segment and there is a huge growing demand from tier II and tier III cities across India, which we want to tap aggressively,” Vasanth Kumar, executive director at Max retail division of Lifestyle International told Financial Chronicle.

He said in the past six months, the company has launched seven outlets at Hubli, Mysore, Bareilly, Bhubaneswar, Siliguri, Cochin and Thiruvananthapuram. “With each store requiring on an average Rs 5 crore investment for stocks and fit outs, we are investing a total of Rs 100 crore to open 20 new stores to expand our footprint pan-India,” Kumar said. At present, it has a total of 60 stores across 35 cities, covering metros and non-metros.

The company is owned by NRI billionaire Micky Jagtiani, who also own $4.7 billion Dubai-based Landmark group, an international diversified retail and hospitality conglomerate. The group operates over 1,200 outlets across the GCC, India, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Sudan, Kenya and Pakistan. Its retail brands include, Centrepoint, Babyshop, Splash, Shoe Mart, Lifestyle, Beautybay, Iconic, Emax, Home Centre, Q Home Décor, Candelite, Max, and Shoexpress.

Kumar said Max is a one-stop shop fashion brand offering a range of apparel, footwear and accessories for the entire family. “We have 3,000 designs across men’s women’s and children’s categories in these segments,” he said.

“We have a team of 50 in-house designers in Dubai and India and we get the products manufactured from 120 captive vendors,” Kumar said. The company offers new designs, colours and styles every three months, he said.

Kumar said the lifestyle market size in India in the Rs 200–Rs 800 per item segment was pegged at Rs 40,000 crore with compounded annual growth rate of eight per cent. “About 80 per cent of the business came from unorganised sector and 20 per cent from organised sector,” he said.

Kumar said the Max retail brand in India was targeting total sales revenues of Rs 800 crore this financial year, up from Rs 600 crore last year.

Source (http://wrd.mydigitalfc.com/news/max-retail-plans-20-new-stores-tier-ii-iii-cities-521)

Railway Minister Mukul Roy said that the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) will be extended to Siliguri by 2013. The DHR, at present, runs between Darjeeling and Kurseong.


"The Railways will make an all-out effort to extend the services to Siliguri," Roy said.

http://news.images.infrawindow.com/small-120/darjeeling-himalyan-railway-to-be-extended-to-siliguri-by-20131344249584.jpg
The UNESCO heritage railway, which attracts tourists both foreign and domestic, has been running for years between Darjeeling and Kurseong as tracks up to Siliguri were damaged by landslides.


Mukul Roy inaugurated two new services from the Queen of the Hills. One is a joyride to Ghoom station, which will be the fourth such service. The other is a joyride between Darjeeling and Kurseong.


The Railway minister said the two new train services would boost tourism in Darjeeling which has of late been witnessing an increased tourist inflow.


The minister said extension of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) would boost tourism in the hills and surrounding areas.


The DHR, which operates on narrow gauge tracks, is the second railway in the world to use century-old steam engines to pull the trains.

Roy said his ministry would consider the long-standing demand of the hill people to extend Darjeeling Mail to Gulma instead of now New Jalpaiguri.

Source (http://www.infrawindow.com/news/darjeeling-himalyan-railway-to-be-extended-to-siliguri-by-2013_5026/)

Kolkata-based Indian wear apparel chain Prapti Fashions has recently opened four new outlets in the country; two at Kolkata and one each in Sambalpur (Orissa) and Siliguri.

http://www.indiaretailing.com/upload/newsimage/prapti.jpg

Prapti's stores in Kolkata are located at Gariahat and Diamond City North (DCN) mall spreading over an area of 900 and 950 sq.ft., respectively. Its outlet at Gariahat is an exclusive menswear store while all other stores stock merchandise for both men and women. The Siliguri store located at City Centre mall covers an area of 2,600 sq.ft. whereas the outlet in Sambalpur is at Budharaja spread across 1,000 sq.ft.

The product assortment at menswear store consists of kurtas, sherwanis, Indo-westerns, and accessories whereas unisex stores of Prapti offer kurtis, sarees, salwar-suits, and kurtas, sherwanis for men. Ladies mix-n-match starts from Rs 295 while Sherwanis are priced up to Rs 30,000.

According to Mohit Tikmany, CEO, Prapti Fashions, “The Indian wear market in India is huge with lots of potential. It has very few national players and is mainly dominated by regional players. Prapti over the years has made a national imprint. Being a both men and women Indian wear brand, it will always have an upper edge over the other players in this segment.”

At present, Prapti Fashions has 27 stores across 15 cities. It plans to expand in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Vizag, Vijayawada, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Noida, Jamshedpur, and Baroda.

Source (http://www.indiaretailing.com/news.aspx?topic=1&Id=6665)

Hope to work here someday ... Hope IT work starts soon in my hometown

The Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) will soon have a separate regional transport authority (RTA) for issuing of route permits, driving licenses, registration numbers and collecting road tax for vehicles in three subdivisions-Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong. The
state transport department recently issued a notification, directing the Darjeeling district administration to start the process of forming the RTA in the GTA areas.

“As per the notification, the existing RTA for the entire Darjeeling will be divided into two separate areas-GTA and plains (Siliguri). The district magistrate will be chairman of the two separate RTA boards,” PT Bhutia, officer of the Darjeeling RTA, told HT on Sunday.

“GTA will select the members of its RTA board. Owners of vehicles in the three sub-divisions in the hills will have to collect the registration numbers or driving licenses from the RTA office in Darjeeling. But there will be no change in the number plates of vehicles even after the formation of the separate RTA. Bengal will have to be mentioned in the number plates and other documents related to registration certificates, fitness certificates, road tax etc,” Bhutia said.

Apart from setting up separate RTA for GTA areas in the hills and Siliguri, the state transport department has started the process of setting up 86 additional regional transport authority (ARTA) offices in districts in order to speed up the system of issuing registrations, certificates of fitness for vehicles and collection of road and other motor vehicles taxes.

ARTA offices will come up in most of the sub-divisions across the state and all these units will work as subsidiaries to the existing regional transport authority (RTA) offices in each district headquarter. Sources in the state transport department said that the government has already decided to reemploy retired ARTA officers to head the new ARTA offices in the subdivisions. Around nine retired ARTA officers in Hooghly, Howrah, East Midnapore and North 24 Parganas districts have joined their new offices.

“The retired ARTA officers and motor vehicles inspectors (MVI) will be recruited on contract basis. They will be paid half of their last salary drawn during retirement. The prime aim of the move is to speed up the process of issuing registrations and certificates of fitness for vehicles in districts,” a senior official of the transport department at Writers’ Buildings said.

An official requesting anonymity said that the move would solve several problems mainly harassment of people in obtaining registrations or certificates of fitness for their vehicles.

Source (http://kalimpong.west-bengal.news.in/news-20121123-3647-GTA_areas_to_have_separate_transport_offices_Hindustan_Times.html)

Siliguri’s image as gateway to the northeast and a trading hub is likely to get a facelift if the ambitious plan of a safari park aiming to attract tourists sees the light of the day. However, one can expect the process to linger, as it was the case during the railway gauge conversion from New
Jalpaiguri to Alipurduar.

The state’s forest, tourism and North Bengal development departments has fast forwarded plans for a safari park. The government is also keen to get immediately get clearance from the union ministry of environment and forests and Central Zoo Authority. They apprehend some NGOs would oppose the project and drag it to the courts.

On Thursday, Hiten Burman the state forest minister said, “The work for proposed Safari Park in Mahananda Wild Life Sanctuary (MWLS) would begin immediately after it gets clearance from Central Zoo Authority and no objection from the Supreme Court.”

Burman added that Rs 50 crores would be spent in the first phase. The three departments - forest, tourism and North Bengal development department - have jointly drawn an ambitious plan to come up with the safari park at Mahananda Wild Life Sanctuary on the outskirts of Siliguri beside NH 31.

As per the plan, six types of safaris would be organised in the core area of the sanctuary including deer, elephant and tiger. The core area would have a cafeteria. The proposed safari park would be the biggest in entire North Bengal, said Sunil Agarwal the joint director of West Bengal tourism department.

At present, in North Bengal, elephant safaris are conducted at Gorumara, Chapramari and Jaldapara.
The ministers and officers of all the three departments believe that once the safari park at present day Saurya Park near Salugara comes up, Siliguri would become another tourist attraction in North Bengal. So far, Siliguri is just used as transit point by tourists visiting Sikkim, Darjeeling and other parts of North Bengal.

Other than corporate clients, tourists hardly spend their time in Siliguri, basically a trading hub. The proposed safari park is set to change the town’s image.

However, the proposed safari park spread over hundreds of acres of land deep inside the sanctuary, is likely to meet hurdles at the hands of environmentalists.

The conversion of 168 km-long railway track between New Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar from metre gauge to broad gauge had met with stiff opposition from the wild life activists and environmentalists, on the contention that it would result in massive felling of trees and endanger the lives of wild animals.

The project also got delayed for several years due to court cases and finally it was converted to broad gauge in 2004.

The railway track passes through many wild life sanctuaries, national and reserved forests. The gauge conversion has also resulted in more number of wild animals getting killed by trains.

B R Sharma the chief conservator of forest (wild life, north) said, “A master plan would soon be sent to the Central Zoo Authority.”

After the Authority gives its nod and the Supreme Court gives its no objection, we would proceed with the project work, said Sharma.

However, a section of forest officials are apprehensive about the damage the project might cause to the forest. They fear some NGOs would come forward to oppose the project as they did with the railway track conversion.


Source (http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Kolkata/Scent-of-Africa-in-North-Bengal/Article1-970117.aspx)

WB Govt plans to open 5 mandis in North Bengal including one in Siliguri to remove the middlemen from the supply chain and procure farm produce directly from the farmers. Also there will be facility for cold storage and lodging for the farmers.

Also encroachments from Siliguri Markets are getting removed and the building is going to be renovated.

Source: Pratidin, 10th December, 2012

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For the first time in the country, a tea processing factory set up by a self help group (SHG) of small tea growers goes into production.

M.G.V.K. Bhanu, Chairman of Tea Board, on Friday inaugurated the factory set up by Panbari Small Growers’ Society, a SHG of small tea growers in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal.

funding

Set up at a cost of Rs 3.8 crore, of which Rs 1.2 crore has been provided by Tea Board, the factory will produce about six lakh kg of made tea annually. Tea Board has provided an additional Rs 27 lakh as corpus fund.

The society was so far engaged in trading of green leaves produced by its members, mostly small and marginal tea growers located in villages like Panbari, Ramshal, Stavendi, Jharbaragila, Purbaragila,Betgara, Dakshin Kalamari, Kajaldighi,Chengmari and Kumargram.

The total number of members is 335 of which 173 were of the Scheduled Caste category.

Only 92 members are registered with Tea Board. Collectively, the society has under its control 289 hectares of land.
2 more units

The Board has given permission for two more factories at Berubari and Bhotpatty in Jalpaiguri district and five others in Assam – two in Dibrugarh and one each in Jorhat, Tinsukia and Sonitpur districts.

While the Berubari and Bhotpatty factories will start commercial production shortly, those in Assam will go on stream during the course of this year.
Focus on Quality

The Tea Board Chairman, while inaugurating the Panbari factory, emphasised the need for setting up similar factories by small tea growers’ SHGs in tea producing States.

“The Panbari factory should serve as a model in the country,” he observed.

He also urged the small growers to pay attention to production of quality tea so critical for the development of a brand.

Hindu Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-biz/tea-processing-unit-by-shgs-goes-on-stream/article4326285.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy)

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