Sundas (left) with Biswas at the PWD bungalow in Kalimpong. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha

Kalimpong, Oct. 30: The public works department (PWD) will require around Rs 4 crore to repair the roads under its jurisdiction in the Kalimpong subdivision that were damaged during monsoon.

The local office of the PWD’s north Bengal construction division recently assessed the extent of the damages and the quantum of funds required to repair them. The report has been submitted to Sapan Das, the chief engineer, PWD, Calcutta.

“We will need Rs 2 crore to carry out temporary repair of the roads and an equal amount for permanent work,” said Nihar Kanti Biswas, executive engineer, north Bengal construction division.

The PWD maintains 57km of road-stretches in the subdivision, including the 14km-long Lower Rishi Road that connects Kalimpong to NH31A at Chittrey.

CPM Kalimpong zonal secretariat member Tara Sundas met Biswas today and emphasised the need to repair the roads at the earliest. “Given how bad the roads have become, it will be a surprise if any tourist decides to return to Kalimpong next year. In fact, we risk being completely cut off from the rest of the world next monsoon,” he said.