DARJEELING,: The Himalayan Transport
Coordination Committee (HTCC) has expressed frustration over the administration’s
failure to address the persistent traffic congestion in Darjeeling. Threatening
to launch protests before the tourist season begins in March-April, HTCC has
urged authorities to take immediate corrective measures.
“We
understand traffic problems exist elsewhere too, but steps are being taken in
those regions. However in the Hills, despite multiple rounds of meetings and
proposals to the authorities, no proper actions have been taken,” said HTCC
president Passang Sherpa. “We will wait
till the start of the tourist season and if this continues, we will start our
agitation.”
Sherpa
criticized both the West Bengal government and the Gorkhaland Territorial
Administration (GTA) for their lack of initiative. He claimed that while the
GTA provides assurances, the State government does not listen to the GTA.
“The
off-season is the best time to find solutions to the traffic jam and parking
problems, yet the authorities remain idle. We are called for meetings when the
tourist season begins,” he said.
One
key issue raised by Sherpa is the operation of large state government buses in
the Hills.
“These
buses block the narrow roads due to their size. Despite assurances of
introducing smaller buses, nothing has changed. The state government argues
that the public demands buses, but if public demands are a priority, why is
Gorkhaland not granted? The government acts only where there’s money involved,”
Sherpa alleged.
In a
related development, local drivers and vehicle owners have formed a new
association, Himalayan Drivers and Owners Welfare Association (HDOWA), citing
dissatisfaction with the older associations' performance.
“The
existing associations have not delivered results. We are a group of younger
drivers and owners, full of energy and fresh ideas. We aim to work independently
and address the real issues,” said Rahul Shasar, a founding member of HDOWA.
