Darjeeling MLA Trilok Dewan today said residents of the hill town should draw inspiration from its neighbour Sikkim

 "Hills learn from Sikkim- Gangtok shows the way in traffic rules"

Darjeeling, Aug. 1: Darjeeling MLA Trilok Dewan today said residents of the hill town should draw inspiration from its neighbour Sikkim where the traffic situation is “better managed”, probably the first time that a hill leader publicly praised the Himalayan state for its infrastructure.

Addressing an audience at a function at Chowrasta to mark the traffic safety week that began today, Dewan said: “Look at Gangtok today. The traffic is better managed there. The roads are wide and you can park your vehicles properly. There are numerous parking facilities in Gangtok unlike in Darjeeling. The three decade rule of the Left Front has ruined this place.”

The MLA, however, was quick to add that his party, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, was attaching top priority to the traffic management and development of education facilities in Darjeeling.

The Darjeeling municipality was set up in 1850 and the hill town boasts India’s oldest hydel station in Sidrapong that was set up in 1897.

Observers said this was probably the first time that the leaders in the hills were looking at the Himalayan state to draw inspiration to solve their infrastructure woes.

Although Sikkim and Darjeeling enjoy a close relationship, according to observers, there are many people in the hill town who believe that the rapid development that is taking place in Sikkim is one of the factors that is constantly providing fuel to the demand for Gorkhaland.

Dewan’s public admission of Sikkim’s progress was perhaps a reflection of this strong sentiment in Darjeeling, the observers feel.

At least three speakers at the function today referred to the development in Sikkim during their speech.

“I wonder why our people cannot be as law abiding, in terms of traffic, as the people of Sikkim,” said a traffic official in his speech.

D.P. Singh, superintendent of police, Darjeeling, who was perhaps a little taken back at the constant reference to Sikkim, had a word of advice for those responsible to build the traffic infrastructure.

“I would like to emphasise that development can take place here also only if we come up with a plan not just for the next year but for 2020 or 2030,” he said.

The district police chief was hopeful that the new body that would be formed for the region (the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration) would work towards achieving this goal.

“I get really scared to see children walking along the busy roads for lack of a proper footpath here. Everyone must join hands to make a difference,” Singh added.

Sherab Lepcha, the traffic officer-in-charge of Darjeeling, said several slogan writing competitions and quiz contests would be held across the town during the traffic safety week.

“School children would assist the traffic police personnel in town throughout the week and haul up those who flout the rules,” said Kunal Aggarwal, the additional superintendent of police, Darjeeling.
~VIVEK CHHETRI
telegraphindia