Siliguri: The West Bengal and Sikkim governments will meet today to discuss inter-state transport movements between the two states to foster tourism.
The meeting to be held in Siliguri today will be attended from the Bengal side by Snehashish Chakraborty, West Bengal State Transport Minister and Soumitra Mohan, the Transport Secretary, among others.
To address the significant tourist demand from West Bengal, Sikkim’s primary source of visitors, the meeting will explore expanding bus routes and maxi cab services across the state.
A number of inter-state transport and tourism operators from Bengal allege that cabs from Bengal are never allowed to travel smoothly all across Sikkim. While Sikkim cabs have free access all over Bengal, the gesture is often not reciprocated.
While places like Nathu La, Chhangu or Silk Route require Army permissions, even in other places, cars from Bengal and even with All India Permits are often stopped by demanding counter signature.
Bengal cars are often fined will allegations of traffic and parking violations. No one listens even if they are reminded about the existing Bengal Sikkim agreement on transportation.
The Wednesday meeting will try to rectify many of these situations by means of renewing the agreement. No such meeting has taken place after 2022. Overall, both states expect these measures would further benefit the tourism sector.
The meeting has also some other discussion points on the agenda. Not just passenger cars, the two states will discuss movements of vehicles for transporting goods as well as oil tankers between West Bengal and Sikkim.
While currently, the Siliguri Gangtok route is the most popular, there will be discussions to popularize routes to Gangtok from other districts like Alipurduar and Malda.
The meeting will prioritize streamlining vehicle movement in Sikkim, including expanding All India Permits, increasing inter-state permits beyond the current 3,000, facilitating day and night West Bengal bus access in Gangtok, and establishing a dedicated parking area for West Bengal vehicles.
The West Bengal government has given land to the Sikkim Transport Authority to set up a terminus in Siliguri. The Bengal tour and transport operators are expecting something in return in Sikkim.
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