MG MARG MAKEOVER IN PROGRESS

SIKKIM EXPRESS NEWS

GANGTOK, May 30: Finally, MG Marg gets the much-needed face lift. After years of neglect and little attention by the concerned authorities, this commercial hub of the Capital is currently under extensive repairs and alterations.

The State Government has drawn up impressive plans to spruce up Gangtok’s main thoroughfare, keeping up with the vision of the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling to convert the State into another Singapore. To begin with, the MG Marg is being widened to make more space for parking.

Accordingly, the green divider running across the length of the Marg is being cut to size to make the roads on its both sides wider. The existing 7 metre width of the divider will now be reduced to just 1 ½ metre obviously to accommodate more vehicles. The first phase of the project has begun from the Tourism Information Centre upto Star Hall point. The total area covered will be 10,000 square meter and the fund allocated for the first phase is Rs 53 Lakhs.

The MG Marg beautification project also comprises of systematising the network of wires and cables that run along the length of the Marg. All hanging electricity wires and telephone cables, and water pipes will be sorted and properly organised. The green divider will continue to exist, albeit narrower and flowering plants will be planted on it. There are plans to create small parks in some spots along the green divider. The entire MG Marg development and beautification is expected to take 44 months (3 years 8 months).

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