GTA demands transfer of transport department

The Transport Minister arrived in Darjeeling on Monday. GTA Sabha Deputy Chairman Rajesh Chowhan who was part of the delegation said the State Minister invited the GTA sabhasads to Kolkata after the Durga puja festivities

EOI, DARJEELING, SEPTEMBER 27, 2022: A delegation of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration on Tuesday met West Bengal Transport Minister Snehashish Chakraborty and placed the demand for transfer of the transport department to the hill council body . 

The Transport Minister arrived in Darjeeling on Monday. GTA Sabha Deputy Chairman Rajesh Chowhan who was part of the delegation said the State Minister invited the GTA sabhasads to Kolkata after the Durga puja festivities. "We had a fruitful meeting with the minister. 

 We appraised the State Minister about the GTA act and agreement and the issue of transfer of subjects of which transport is one. We have been asked to come to Kolkata for a formal meeting," he said. 

As per the 2011 GTA agreement, more then 50 subjects have been transferred to the hill council. However, till date not all the subjects have been transferred. The GTA delegation also raised the issue of identifying an alternative route for vehicular movement in the Darjeeling town. Commuting has become a nightmare over the years due to encroachment. 

"The State Minister has asked us to prepare a detailed project report and submit it to Kolkata. We will sit for discussion and deliberation with the GTA chief executive officer and plan out the alternative route to decongest the town area,"said Chowhan.

Another issue placed before the State Transport Minister was that of introducing a local bus service from Ghoom and Lebong areas to the town.

"A proposal was placed by the GTA delegation regarding the introducing bus service for the town area. We will take up the matter after the Durga puja, positively," said Chakraborty. At present the North Bengal State Transport Corporation operates long distance services from Siliguri to Darjeeling and Kalimpong. The Minister highlighted the issue of parking, especially with the increase of tourist flow becoming a big problem for the town. "We cannot solve all the problems at one go. But, we will definitely try to do so one at a time," he said.