Siliguri, Feb. 21: The chairman of Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority today announced 46 new projects and released about Rs 61 crore for the same at a meeting here.

"We have sanctioned Rs 61.73 crore for 46 new projects that would come up in the areas under the SJDA in Siliguri and Jalpaiguri districts. These projects will be taken up in both urban and rural areas," Sourav Chakraborty, the chairman of SJDA, said.

One of the major projects is to illuminate the streets in tea gardens with solar lights and the work would start after consulting the representatives of the local bodies, the chairman added.

Chakraborty elaborated on other projects which include construction of bus sheds with bio-toilets, amusement park, roadside motels and a modern auditorium in different areas of Siliguri and Jalpaiguri districts.

"An auditorium will be constructed at Malbazar in Jalpaiguri district so that local talents from tribal communities could perform cultural activities there. We will spend Rs 4 crore for its construction. The auditorium will also have a permanent museum where handicrafts and instruments of local folk artistes will be exhibited," he said.

The SJDA chairman also paid cheques for Rs 16,000 as compensation to 28 people who used to reside on either side of the approach roads to the Fifth Mahananda Bridge in Siliguri. They had been evacuated from for the construction of the approach roads.

"The SJDA has spent Rs 7 crore to build the bridge and we expect that the bridge will be functional within six months," Chakraborty said.

"There are plans to build an amusement park near Naukaghat of Siliguri and two motels named Pather Sathi (friend on the road) for the travellers at Fulbari (adjacent to Siliguri) and Lataguri in Jalpaiguri district. The motels will have about 10 rooms which the tourists can use for short stays. It will also have restaurants and toilets. These motels will be operated by the members of local self-help groups," he added.

The chairman said 17 bus sheds and at least eight bio-toilets would also be built along the road from Bagdogra to Malbazar.

Asked why the SJDA did not have elected representatives of other parties, including MLAs, Chakraborty said: "We are taking development projects as per the guidelines of the state government. These projects are always implemented in consultation with the elected representatives of the areas concerned."