Bengal Government Approves GTA’s Proposal for Alternative Roads in Darjeeling
New Roads Expected to Ease Traffic Congestion in the Hills
DARJEELING - The Bengal government has given its in-principle approval to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA)'s proposal to construct alternative roads from Darjeeling to Teesta Bazar and from Bungkulung to Kurseong. The proposal was put forth by the GTA to ease traffic congestion in the hills, particularly in Darjeeling.
GTA Chief Executive, Anit Thapa, revealed that the state government has agreed to construct two of the three proposed roads. The first, a 35km-long alternative route, will start at Lebong and end at Teesta Bazar. This route is expected to alleviate the traffic snarls at Jorebunglow, where vehicles from Gangtok, Kalimpong, Siliguri, and Mirik converge, causing significant congestion on an 8km stretch.
“During peak tourism season, it takes hours to cover this 8km stretch, affecting the entire traffic in Darjeeling town. This alternative route from Lebong would ensure that vehicles to Kalimpong and Gangtok can exit Darjeeling from the other end of town. In fact, from Teesta Bazar, one can also go to the Dooars and Siliguri,” said a GTA source.
The second approved road will connect Bungkulung to Kurseong. This 14km long road will ease travel from Mirik to Kurseong and is expected to touch the Pankhabari road at Ambootia Phatak, just a few kilometers below Kurseong town.
The third proposal, a road from Bungkulung in the Mirik subdivision to Sukhiapokhri touching Nagri and Dhajea, has not been approved by the government immediately.
On June 3, the GTA also wrote to the secretary of the Public Works Department (PWD) to take over the construction of a circular road from Lebong to 3rd Mile via Pandam tea garden. The GTA has already begun the construction of a 13km stretch from Lebong to 3rd Mile via Pandam and Rangaroon tea gardens and has requested the government to take up the balance work. This route would provide an alternative route to people traveling to Kalimpong, Gangtok, Takdah, Lopchu, and Peshok among other places.
