Darjeeling: 107 cars without coupons turned away, only 24 reach Tiger Hill

SILIGURI: People are not paying heed to the coupon system introduced for the entry of both commercial and private vehicles at Tiger Hill in Darjeeling. Traffic officials returned 107 cars without coupons on Sunday when only 24 cars having coupons entered the sunrise point. Traffic officials said obtaining free coupons is mandatory for the vehicles going to Tiger Hill. However, after 7am any vehicle can ply without the coupon.
“We had 100% success on the first day when we returned 107 vehicles without coupons.The vehicles were all local on Sunday. We are thinking about bring the vehicles coming from outside under the purview of the coupon system. However, we have made it clear to all travel operators and hoteliers that no vehicle will be allowed to enter Tiger Hill without coupons. Still our request is falling on deaf ears,” said DCP traffic Somnath Saha.
“We are planning to open a coupon centre in Kurseong, Mirik for the convenience of the tourists and drivers. Gradually, we will improve the system, which is in an initial and experimental stage. During the tourist season, the number of vehicles going to Tiger Hill will go up. We have drafted a letter to the forest department for a parking space where 700 to 800 vehicles can be parked,” added Saha.
“There is an alternative route to Tiger Hill, but the roads are in a bad shape now. Unless the roads are repaired, we cannot think of any plan,” said Saha. The new traffic rules suggested the use of HD Lama Road that did not become operational from Sunday. Traffic officials said the matter would be taken up for a discussion and the road might be operational in next 15 or 20 days.
Another reshuffle to curb traffic congestion in the hills was to extend the time of opening of Batasia, but this was also not possible on Sunday.