Darjeeling cops launch helpline, bike squads for Hills tourists

DARJEELING: In an effort to make tourists feel safe and comfortable in the Hills, the Darjeeling police have introduced two motorcycles and two van squads for emergency assistance.
Flagging-off the project from the Sadar police station, Darjeeling SP Amarnath K said the initiative was taken, keeping the upcoming tourist season in mind. “Tourists who come to the Hills have complaints about not receiving assistance from the administration.We try our utmost best to be of help but we may have our shortcomings. But this time, we are prepared and will ensure a wonder experience for tourists,” he said. There is no official record, but a rough estimate puts the annual number to 3.5 lakh to 4lakh domestic and 40,000 foreign tourists.

As part of the arrangement, the Darjeeling police have started a helpline (0354-2256356), where tourists can call in case they require any assistance. This apart, the police are putting an infrastructure in place so that response to any call to the emergency number (100) is reduced to 10-15 minutes in the town area. “We have spoken to all the stakeholders in the tourism sector, such as taxi and hotel associations. The helplines will be displayed prominently at various spots, including in taxis and at hotels,” the SP said.
Earlier, on the International Women’s Day on March 8, the police introduced the “Pink Patrol”, an all-women police squad. The women’s squad is supposed to address distress calls from women in the Hills town, irrespective of them being locals or tourists.
The police also have plan to set up a Tourist Welcome Centre (TWC) at Simulbari near Rohini at the foothills, where visitors will be briefed on the dos and don’ts before entering the Hills. Pamphlets containing details of tourist attractions, helplines and emergency service numbers and government-approved vehicle fares will be handed out to tourists at the centre. Taxi drivers will also be subject to on-the-spot breath analyzer tests at the TWC to dissuade them from driving drunk. “We have received complaints from tourist about taxis charging exorbitant fares and also being intimidated into paying the high rates. We will conduct raids to curb this menace, especially during the tourist season,” Amarnath said.
The tourist season in the Hills starts in mid-June, but the Darjeeling police plan to start a photography competition for visitors in the third week of March with prizes at stake.