Darjeeling Army school trucks face traffic heat

DARJEELING: The new traffic rules regarding heavy-duty vehicles implemented in Darjeeling from Sunday took its toll on Monday when four Army vehicles carrying students were made to turn back for not following rules.
Traffic police have forbidden such vehicles from entering the town from 7am to 7pm. Sources said Army trucks above 1 tonne would not be allowed during these hours in keeping with the government notification issued in 2011.This does not include Army convoys and its emergency vehicle movements.
On Monday, the four trucks going to the Jalapahar Cantonment school from Lebong were stopped midway in Motor Stand area in the heart of the town. After an exchange of words, the trucks turned back with the schoolchildren.
A traffic police source said: “We have spoken with Army officials and requested them to cooperate. We told them to make alternate arrangement to ferry schoolchildren. We have not stopped convoys and Army emergency services.”
As part of the changes, not more than 300 vehicles would be allowed to go to Tiger Hill, the sunrise point of Darjeeling. Drivers have been asked to collect free coupons from the Sadar police station to go up to Tiger Hill, located around 3km from Jorebungalow. On Monday, 58 vehicles applied for the coupons but only 56 made their way to Tiger Hill.