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New Delhi, Feb 19: Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang inaugurated the foot-over bridge and integrated commercial multi-level parking complex at levels three and four of the newly constructed West Point Mall in Gangtok, today.
The inauguration event was an extension to the ‘West Point Mall Sarathi Run’ event held in the morning to honour the ‘Sarathis.’
Organised by Gangtok Smart City Development Limited and Mesaso Infrastructure Private Limited, the inauguration event also had the attendance of a host of dignitaries including Speaker, Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Cabinet Ministers,
Gangtok Mayor, sate Government officers,‘sarathis’ from the driving community of Sikkim, and public at large.
The foot-over bridge connects the West Point Mall directly to the heart of the town MG Marg. It has been constructed to mitigate traffic congestion and for ease of movement of the public.
Following the inauguration, the Chief Minister unveiled the ‘West Point Plague.’ After this, a plantation of saplings was carried out on the facade of the mall.
The modernised car park can accommodate 400 plus cars, elevating Gangtok’s parking capacity. The car park has amenities such as dormitories, washrooms, changing rooms, rest/game rooms, cafeteria, first aid room etc. Self ventilation system, fire extinguishers and mechanised parking are also some of the added features. It is hoped that it also provides employment opportunities for locals involved in the management of the parking facilities.
While dedicating the multi-level parking to the ‘Sarathis,’ the Chief Minister spoke about various initiatives for the welfare of the driving community such as the establishment of Chalak Welfare Board, financial support to 12 children of the drivers pursuing MBBS at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS), help in medical treatment under Chief Minister’s Medical Assistance Scheme (CMMAS), provision of 13 vehicles, 60 jobs to chalak families and so on. Further, he announced the provision of health insurance of Rs 10 lakh each per year for the driving community, separate quota for the construction of 300 houses, more than 300 inverters for rural chalaks, 300 roofing sheets, Rs 50,000/-each for house operation/maintenance and reservation for 300 mothers of chalaks under Sikkim Aama Yojana. He also announced that Rs 1 crore funding has been approved for the Chalak Welfare Board for the month of March.
While speaking about the infrastructure, the Chief Minister said that the people of Sikkim can reap various benefits with the opening of the West Point mall such as massive employment generation, GST generation for the State Government as taxes generated will stay within Sikkim, ease of access to products and brands as people no longer have to travel to outside the State to shop and so on. The Chief Minister said that the building has been constructed taking environmental impacts in mind and is earthquake resistant. The best minds from IIT Guwahati, IIT Roorkee and Jadavpur University have studied feasibility, designed and constructed the building employing sustainability methods, he added.
As informed by Principal Architect, Salient Design Studio, Kolkata, the building is constructed entirely of steel and is 40% lighter than other RCC structures of the same height. The framing, joining, foundation technology, and dry cladding system make the building earthquake-resistant, adhering to the most advanced seismic resistance codes in the world. The structural components are prefabricated in a controlled atmosphere and bolted (not welded) which adds to the quality of the structure.
It was further informed that West Point Mall has been certified Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Gold for mixed-used buildings as it has urban (multi-level car parking), social (mall, multiplex cinema), and tourism (hotel) infrastructures. It is therefore the first structural steel building in India for ‘mixed-use’ development and also a Biophillic building incorporating elements like natural light, ventilation, and plenty of greenery in and around the structure. Further, solar panelling is being installed on the roof which can produce 7000 kwh of solar energy.
The building also has a sewerage treatment plant installed that can recycle water and the treated water can be used in flushing tanks. It has a solid waste processing system whereby food waste can be composted for use as fertiliser for plants within the premises. In addition, 3 1/2 lakh litres capacity of rainwater harvesting tank has also been installed.
It is Net Zero Energy, Net Zero Waste, and Net Zero Water building embodying sustainability and innovation and vetted by prestigious universities such as IIT Guwahati, IIT Rourkee and Jadavpur University, it was informed.
Designed with inclusivity in mind, West Point provides added facilities like accessible toilets, ramps, escalators and lifts for specially challenged individuals, pregnant ladies and senior citizens.