Cry for more bus stations

The Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus in Siliguri 

TT, Siliguri: The rise in traffic in and around Siliguri has prompted residents to raise the demand for separate bus terminuses at different locations, on outskirts of the city.

Over 1,000 buses move through most parts of the city every day, which adds to the congestion, right from morning hours till late evening.

As of now, there are three bus terminuses in the city, the Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus and the Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) Terminus off Hill Cart Road and the PCM Bus Terminus off Sevoke Road.

Also, there is a local bus stand, from where buses leave for places within Siliguri subdivision, off Kutcheri Road, located in the heart of the city.

Buses for different destinations of the state, operated by both government and private parties, leave the TNCBT while only those buses which are bound for the Dooars, leave the other terminus.

"The principal problem in Siliguri is that the long-distance buses keep on moving through most of the busy thoroughfares, while moving out or getting into the city. It causes huge congestion. Given the steady growth in traffic here, it is necessary to limit movement of the buses till the outskirts. From there, people can take local transport," said Saikat Dutta, a teacher.

According to the residents, bus terminuses should be set up in northern and southern ends of the city.

"Buses bound for the Northeast and districts like Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar can be parked at a terminus on the southern end of Siliguri. Similarly, buses bound for Bihar and other destinations of the state can depart another terminus on the northern end of the city. This can largely help reduce congestion in the city," Deepika Lama, a housewife, said.

As of now, there is no proper terminus for several private buses, which go to other states and also between Siliguri and Calcutta and some other places in southern parts of the state.

These buses are parked just off Hill Cart Road in short space and leads to congestion on a regular basis.

An official of the traffic department of the Siliguri Metropolitan Police, when asked about the issue, admitted that shifting long-distance buses from the TNCBT and the surrounding areas could improve traffic.