Darjeeling, Aug 25 (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched the Rs. 500 crore 'Clean and Green Darjeeling' project under which 53,000 toilets will be built across the district here.

The project is a joint initiative of the state government and the autonomous hill council, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) headed by Bimal Gurung of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha chief.

"'Clean Darjeeling Green Darjeeling' will run on a mission mode to ensure clean living in Darjeeling with sanitation facilities in homes and community sanitary complexes, solid and liquid waste management, ban on plastic bags, cleaning of springs and roadside plantation," Banerjee said here.

The project will encourage water conservation through rainwater harvesting in rural and urban areas along with green cultivation through afforestation, she said.

"This will also help in development of horticulture and medicinal plants that will also boost the local livelihood.

"It is our mission to restore the Queen of Hills Darjeeling to its pristine glory. It is our commitment to our future generation. West Bengal government and GTA are working together for that," added Banerjee.