Paragliding services to remain suspended in Darjeeling, Kalimpong for now

Amitava Banerjee | MP | Darjeeling: Paragliding services have been suspended in Darjeeling and Kalimpong till there is clearance from the Air Force, Air Traffic Control and new guidelines are formulated by the District Administration and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration.

This decision comes on the heels of a stricture from the Ministry of Defence to the Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal. A paragliding accident had also taken place in Kalimpong on November 24 that had left the pilot dead and a tourist grievously injured.

"A meeting had been held on January 7, 2017 between paragliding associations, Darjeeling District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police and the Army prompted by a letter from the Defence Ministry. The letter stated that owing to the strategic location of this area, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Sikkim was a no-fly zone.

Clearances are required from the Air Force and Air Traffic Control for flying," claimed Binoy Tamang, Chairman, Board of Administrator, GTA.

Tamang was addressing a meeting with paragliding associations. It was also attended by the District Administration.

The GTA Chairman stated that stronger guidelines need to be worked out so that the safety aspect is addressed properly.

"We will soon sit with the Air Force, Air Traffic Control and the District Administration and work out the modalities. The guidelines that are formulated will be sent to the Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal as a similar letter from the Ministry of Defence. Equipment need to be checked too. Till this process is complete, paragliding will remain closed in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts," added Tamang.

The GTA Secretary stated that adventure sports are an important component of tourism but one cannot compromise on the security aspect. "Equipment need to be checked. We have to carefully study the life span of the equipment. A paraglider has 100 hours of flying life after which it has to be replaced. All these aspects will be included in the guidelines," added the Chairman.

Quoting the recent incident in which 22-year-old Purushottam Timsina of Pokhra, Nepal (pilot) died on the spot and 32-year-old Gaurav Choudhary of Patna, Bihar was injured, Tamang stated: "There are videos that the glider seems to have taken in mid air. Timsina was not even wearing a helmet. If he had worn a helmet he might have been saved."

The Kalimpong Paragliders Association has welcomed the move. "Paragliding will definitely start after the guidelines are formulated. We will extend all cooperation and will adhere to the guidelines," stated Sujen Khati, president of Kalimpong Paragliders Association.

In the recent past, there were a number of rafting accidents as well in Hills. Following the accidents, guidelines had been followed for rafting companies.