Police assistance for Tourists in Darjeeling October 7, 2002

Tourism in Darjeeling has suffered during the last few years due to increasing problem of brokers and touts. The tourists arriving directly at Darjeeling are often harassed by the local touts who accost the tourists as the alight from the vehicle.

This has been a major reason why many tourists have preferred Sikkim over Darjeeling in the recent past. Now the police department seems to have woken up to the problem and has decided to watch the movements of touts and brokers during the tourist season. The Mobile Vans and policemen in civil dress will be on round in every tourist spots.The senior police officials have declared that police assistance booths will be set up in areas like Darjeeling motor stand, railway station, club side and Ring Cinema Hall.Changes will take place in the Traffic Police as well. They will now be seen in their navy blue trousers and jackets with white shirts. They are also given the power to stop the drivers from taking exorbitant fare from the tourists. A proposal of employing more policemen in Rock Garden is also under consideration.The Sikkim State Archives Department has now decided to set up a new wicker gate near the tourist lodge to protect the lake. Khechepalri is not only a tourist spot but also a pilgrimage site for many. This has added to the problem as many devotees throw puja offerings into the lake much of which is not decomposable. The department has also put up signboards to make the people aware about saving this lake.

Latest Travel News

IATO ADTOI WBTDC EHTTOA TAAB