After announcing Jagannath Mandir and Durga Angan projects, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has now said that a large Mahakal mandir will be built in Siliguri.
During her visit to flood-hit North Bengal, Banerjee on Thursday visited the Mahakal Mandir in Darjeeling, offered prayers to Lord Shiva, and announced, “A large Mahakal temple will come up near the proposed convention centre in Siliguri. For this, a trust needs to be formed.”
Banerjee said that land for the temple will be provided by the state government. According to sources, the plot will be located beside the proposed convention centre in Siliguri.
Following Banerjee’s announcement and subsequent cabinet approval earlier this month, the state government has also begun formal procedures to set up ‘Durga Angan’, a temple-like complex dedicated to Goddess Durga. A plot has been identified in New Town, with an estimated project cost of around Rs 262 crore.
Sources from the state secretariat said that a site opposite Eco Park, near the Westin Hotel in New Town, has been shortlisted for the complex due to its proximity to the airport, metro stations, and other tourist attractions. The West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (WBHIDCO) has been entrusted with the project, and the process to appoint a construction agency is underway.
Banerjee travelled to North Bengal on Sunday to monitor flood-hit areas and oversee relief operations. She will stay in Darjeeling on Thursday and return to Kolkata on Friday to begin inaugurations of Kali Puja celebrations across the city.
Meanwhile, former Kolkata Mayor Sovan Chatterjee and his associate Baishakhi Banerjee met Mamata Banerjee in Darjeeling. Sources said they also held discussions at Richmond Hill about the state’s current political situation.
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A senior TMC leader said, “Sovan Chatterjee already had a meeting with Abhishek Banerjee, and now he and Baishakhi sat with Mamata Banerjee. We are expecting he will again join TMC before the coming Assembly election.”
He added, “Sovan da has already expressed his desire to work in the 2026 Assembly election. He may also contest in the coming election.”
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
