BGPM to help in controlling traffic congestion, plastic in hill town

Courtesy & source- Facebook-Ananta Karmakar 

EOI, DARJEELING, JUNE 7, 2023 : The  Bharatiya  Gorkha Prajatantrik  Morcha  has taken an initiative to extend support to the Darjeeling Municipality and the police department   to help in controlling traffic congestion and beautification of the town areas.

On Wednesday, the BGPM inaugurated the party's Darjeeling Town Committee office in Chowk Bazar which is considered the heart of the town. BGPM general secretary Amar Lama said the idea was not to supersede the concerned authorities but to cooperate and extend support to minimize basic issues that were plaguing the hills town station. 

"The citizens of the town are facing several basic problems. Our purpose to establish a town committee office is to help the people and authorities in any way we can. Citizens can come to the town committee office with      their      problems, anytime," he said

.As of now the town committee will be administered by a group of small  teams comprising former municipal councilors and administrators. 

"We have four coordinators with experience and knowledge. We feel they can be of great help to the municipality and the traffic department.

Later we will form more members," said Lama. The BGPM has identified the issue of traffic congestion and the use and disposal of plastics as the grey areas. 

"Easing traffic woes is of prime concern which gets amplified during the tourist seasons.  Nowadays the tourists come with their own vehicles. This leads to overload and traffic congestion. 

Areas like like Chowrasta and Chowk Bazar  are  heaped  in  dirt with garbage and plastics. We intend to beautify these areas. These are small and basic issues but necessary," said  the BGPM, general secretary. Darjeeling is witnessing massive footfall largely owing to the prevailing heatwave conditions in the country. 

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is recording impressive financial figures, thanks to the joy ride service which is a major attraction and source of income. 

The BGPM general secretary was not averse to the DHR operating several rides but opined that public in convenience must be given a thought.    

"The tourists are coming and taking the rides on offer which is good for the DHR. However, people must no to suffer. Too many rides on narrow roads lead to traffic issues," said Lama. Of the total of 32 wards of the Darjeeling municipality, the BGPM has incorporated 18 wards in its initial programme to start work with. 

"The Gorkhaland Territorial  Administration and the municipality do not have funds. Therefore we will not take up big projects. We will concentrate   on small and basic projects," said Lama