Fari Busty (Samsing-Jalpaiguri), Dec.
7: In the wake of the Darjeeling ropeway tragedy, the forest
department has decided not to reopen the ropeway at Fari Busty
in Samsing, which has been lying closed since 1986.
Residents, however, are of the opinion that
the ropeway would benefit people on both sides of the Murty
river and help the place gain tourist-spot status.
The ropeway from Fari Busty to Lochu-Dhappar
near Kalimpong on the other bank of the Murty covers a distance
of 4.5 km. Forest minister Jogesh Burman, however, did not
hold out any hope of its revival. `The ropeway was once needed
to carry timber but now it is no longer necessary. We are
aware of the tourism potential at Fari Busty but we are not
thinking of opening the service now. After the mishap in Darjeeling,
we are judging every step taken. In case the ropeway service
was operational, distances would have been reduced but we
have no plans for revival of the service,` Burman said. Till
the Gorkhaland agitation in the eighties, Fari Busty was a
business hub. Oranges from the hills and timber from Kalimpong
were brought here by the ropeway before being transported
to other places. When services stopped in 1986, it dealt a
blow to the local economy and Fari Busty lost its importance.
Apart from losing employment and business opportunities, the
local people have also been inconvenienced by the loss of
their main mode of transport. `Now we need to follow chorbato
(hilly short cuts) to reach the other side of the river. Travelling
by the pucca road takes a lot of time so most of us avoid
it,` said 65-year-old Parshuram Bhujel, a resident of Fari
Busty who had worked at the ropeway station. The ropeway,
once-operated by the forest development corporation, was opened
in the seventies and primarily used to ferry goods across
the river. The gondolas ferried timber from forests and oranges
from the hills to Fari busty market. A number of people at
both ends of the ropeway were employed in loading and unloading
the goods that were transported. Others worked as operators
of the ropeway and in time a whole economy grew around the
service. Fari Busty, a small village, still carries remnants
of the once vibrant service even after 17 years of its closure.
The cabin garages, the large wheel, cables and towers are
a reminder of the ropeway that once existed.
Courtesy
The Telegraph |
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