Darjeeling cops act tough to curb illegal parking menace

DARJEELING: The Darjeeling traffic police have decided to act tough against people parking their vehicles in unaithorised spots in the town area.
The cops have started imposing hefty fines and impounding cars and bikes for encroaching upon roads and obstructing traffic.
Earlier this month, the Darjeeling SP (Town) had issued a notice to owners of garages and showrooms, highlighting the need to keep the national and state highways clear.A general notice was also issued to the public. So far 21 vehicles — 13 four-wheelers and eight two-wheelers — have been seized.
“We started the campaign from Lebong Cart Road, the state highway in the northern part of the town, and moved on to the national highway on Hill Cart Road. We have sized 21 vehicles and fined the owners,” said Dorjee Sherpa, OC, Sadar traffic.
The traffic police are using a recovery van to tow away the illegally parked vehicles from Ghoom to Lebong. Another tow-away vehicle has been requisitioned that will arrive in a couple of days.
Apart from water shortage, traffic congestion and lack of parking space are perennial problems in the popular Hills station.