Area MLA takes Department Heads on spot visit to Bey-Pentong in Upper Dzongu WANGCHUK BHUTIA

DIKCHU, 27 Oct: The Power Minister cum MLA Dzongu, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha along with the heads of departments comprising of Secretary RMDD, DR Nepal, Secretary Tourism, C Zangpo, S/E Road & Bridges N/E Chetraj Mishra, officials from various departments, Gram Vikash Adhikari Dzongu, panchayat and zilla members trekked to Bey, Pentong villages in Upper Dzongu, North Sikkim on 26 and 27 October. This is the first visit by departmental heads to the area.
On the first day of the tour, the team visited the transit point near Namprikdang and at Kurnut where the Power Minister suggested that bungee jumping prospects be explored for adventure tourism development. Responding to this, the Tourism Secretary informed that for bungee jumping, a bridge has to be constructed first.
The entourage also visited the Lingzya waterfalls where it was pointed out that upgradation work would have to be undertaken by the Tourism Department.
The team further visited Bey village, where the department decided that car parking facility and other facilities could be developed since it falls on the way to Tholung monastery.
In the evening, a short function was held at Pentong among the local people and the panchayat where panchayat secretary, Namdup Lepcha delivered the welcome speech. The function started with a traditional puja performed by a Bongthing (Lepcha priest).
In his address, the SE Road and Bridges, Chetraj Mishra informed that the Department hopes to complete the new Bey-Pentong road and that Rs. 8 crore has been estimated for the widening and protection work of Lingzya-Bey road for which the DPR has already been completed.
Likewise, the Secretary Tourism, C Zangpo informed that many spots for rural tourism have been identified but some of the works may not be taken up immediately due to road connectivity problems. Facilities like car parking and waste management would be developed at Bey since it fall on the way to Tholung monastery, he further informed. He added that Rs 130 lakh will be utilised for construction of footpath, car parking, public toilet at Tholung, etc. Construction of public toilet facility at Tholung will be started in the next two days, it was added.
The ward panchayat, Dup Tshering Lepcha requested for the provision of additional funds for cost incurred in carrying construction material for REDRH and CMRHM schemes to areas which are inaccessible by road.
Secretary RMDD, DR Nepal informed that the construction of CMRHM and REDRH has been delayed due to the delay in supply of materials and added that the department has now asked beneficiaries who are yet to start construction to purchase construction material themselves. The Secretary said that the people of Sakyong-Pentong will be given priority when they visit the department’s office at Gangtok for any official work in view of the time and trouble it takes for them to travel.
The Power Minister while addressing the function informed that since the Sakyong-Pentong GPU is inaccessible, the government has given priority to the village and more houses under CMRHM and REDRH are being provided to the villagers along with several other developmental schemes. Many development projects in the area are also in the pipeline, he said and further appealed to the people to be more active.
On the second day, the team visited the Pentong Primary School and the ropeway area below Pentong for the construction of a suspension bridge.