The
Sikkim government has announced a direct air-conditioned bus service
between Gangtok and Calcutta on alternate days for the convenience of
tourists.
The transport secretary, S.B.S. Bhaduria, said the fare of the trips
was yet to be fixed and the state government had inked an agreement with
the Bengal government for the service that was likely to start in
March.
Transport minister D.T. Lepcha said yesterday: "We are soon starting a
bus service from Gangtok to Calcutta and vice-versa, keeping in mind
the convenience of tourists visiting Sikkim. The service will be on
alternate days. We have found that it is difficult for visitors to get
reservation during the peak tourism season. The new service will be of
immense help to tourists."
A senior tourism official has informed that more than 50 per cent of
the tourists visiting Sikkim are from Calcutta. Sikkim has two tourism
seasons - March-April and September-November.
Bhaduria said five AC buses would ply between the capitals of Sikkim
and Bengal. "Each bus will have 40 seats and television. The service is
likely to start from March," he said.
The transport secretary said the Sikkim Nationalised Transport had
inked an agreement with the Bengal government for the inter-state
service. "A private party has been entrusted with the service, but it
will have to pay a certain amount to the state government. The service
will start once the fares are fixed."
At present, for travel between Calcutta and Gangtok, one has to
change buses in Siliguri. The fare from Siliguri to Calcutta ranges from
Rs 800 to Rs 1,200. The distance between Gangtok and Calcutta is around
600km.
Those travelling from Calcutta by train can get off at NJP and take a
bus or taxi to Gangtok. As Sikkim has no airport, air travellers from
Calcutta have to disembark at Bagdogra and take the road.
"The bus would start from Gangtok at 11am and reach Siliguri by 3pm.
After an hour-long break, the bus will leave for Calcutta. It may take
16 hours to reach Calcutta from Gangtok," said Bhaduria.
He said the buses would be stationed at SNT terminus in Gangtok and
Esplanade in Calcutta. The reservation counters will be set up in
Gangtok, Siliguri and Calcutta.
Bhaduria said the bus service would also help students from Sikkim who were studying in Calcutta.(TT)
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