By Faruque Ahamed

KOLKATA, 3 FEBRUARY — Illegal commercial buildings in the Darjeeling municipal area posing a threat to environment and human safety have become a bone of contention to the administrations in the hills. The matter has also reportedly been discussed in the recently-held administrative meeting of the chief minister Miss Mamata Banerjee who frequently visits the hills.

Interestingly, two such unauthorised buildings have come up close to the bungalow of the superintendent of police (SP) of Darjeeling district. Expressing grave concern on the issue Mrs Joyoshi Dasgupta, district magistrate of Darjeeling has written to Mr S A Baba, secretary of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Requesting his interventions.

The illegal existence and functioning of these commercial buildings seems a matter of public ‘ridicule’, Mrs Dasgupta has stated in her letter.

“This is to bring your kind notice that several illegal commercial buildings have started functioning in the past year in Darjeeling Municipal area. As these are in violation of building rules, they may pose a threat to public life and safety,” Mrs Dasgupta stated in the letter written on 2 January.

“Their very existence and functioning in blatant violation of municipal laws are exposing the Darjeeling municipality to public ridicule. The matter is brought to your kind attention for your intervention,” she added giving a list of such buildings.

According to the list mentioned in the DM’s letter, commercial shops have come up in a seven storied building beside Darjeeling International Youth Hostel/ Shalom Palace. Shops are being let out in the building from this month.

A dhaba has been built on a land opposite to a popular loop.

A G+6 illegal building without minimum fire safety spaces in front of a telephone exchange office at Rockville and beside a Hotel.

An illegal pucca building exists on a PWD land in front of the chief medical officer of health (CMOH) quarters. In addition, two other hotels on PWD/govt land are functioning with municipality trade licence close to the SP bungalow.

Hardly, two years ago the Darjeeling district administration directed the local municipal body to dismantle the top portions of three buildings that had allegedly been constructed in violation with legally permissible height.

The GJM then had termed the move as politically motivated triggering possibility of another showdown between the Morcha and Mamata Banerjee government.

As per the West Bengal Municipality Building Rules 2007, hill municipalities sanction building plan up to a height of 11.5 metres and civic bodies have to obtain prior approval from the government for construction above the permissible height.