Public Outcry against Planter's Construction plan

The decision to convert the open space on the Planter’s Club premises into a concrete structure has resulted in a public outcry against the move.

The committee members of the club have decided to construct a parking space on the vacant plot of land right in front of Planter’s and plans are afoot to “properly” utilise the area beneath the car park.

Prahlad Roka, managing director of Kanchenjunga Adventures, said: “The decision to come up with a parking lot and probably a shopping mall goes against what the club stands for. We do not need to commercialise everything. This is the only green space in town and with such structures coming up, Darjeeling will no longer remain the coveted tourist destination that it now is.”

The decision seems to have hurt the sentiments of the town with many like Roka alleging that “those who have given the approval for the construction are either not from Darjeeling or do not feel for the place”.

“Landmarks like Planter’s do not belong to the club members alone, the community also has a right to the building that boasts of so many legacies,” said an architect here. “They should concentrate on managing the place well, rather than put shops on sale.”

Rajeshwar Singh, a committee member of Planter’s, however, said the club was fully sensitive to people’s sentiments. “All efforts will be made to preserve the club… We plan to use the space beneath the parking lot and the options are still open. It is not that only shopping malls will come up, there were also suggestions to set up a tea museum.”

But many like Mahindra Pradhan, a government employee, maintained that “concrete constructions” should not be allowed to engulf the only green space of the town.

The club members argue that the parking space will ease traffic flow to Planter’s Nursing Home. They added that the present car park can only accommodate five to six vehicles.

Residents, however, refused to buy Planter’s claim. Bharat Prakash Rai, the secretary of Federation of Societies for Environment Protection, said: “It is better to keep the place free of vehicles, even if it is for the sake of the hospital. We do not agree to any concrete construction coming up in that area.”

Some people feel that the new structure will block the view of the Kanchenjunga from Planter’s.

Source > The Telegraph