The state PWD department has called for a meeting to discuss a proposal to create an alternative road to Darjeeling next Friday, triggering cries of model code of conduct violation by the Opposition camp.
The PWD department has scheduled the meeting on June 23 to be conducted on a hybrid mode from Nabanna with some officials attending physically while others would use online platforms.
Sources said that secretary of the PWD department will hold the meeting and the principal secretary of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration has been requested to nominate one technical officer at the level of chief engineer to attend the meeting.
On February 8, 2023, Anit Thapa, as the chief executive of GTA had raised the issue of constructing an alternative route from Darjeeling (NH-110) to Teesta Bazar (NH 10) via Lebong.
At the moment, people from different routes like Rohini, Pankhabari, Mungpoo, NH110 or the Peshok route used for travel to Sikkim and Kalimpong ultimately merge at Jorebunglow.
During peak tourist season it takes hours to cover the 8km stretch from Jorebunglow to Darjeeling town.
The proposal made by Thapa has been appreciated widely as this route will be in the opposite direction to the Jorebunglow route and would help traffic circulate smoothly through Darjeeling town.
Also, the GTA had on May 29, announced that a new 13.5 km route would be built from Lebong to 3rd Mile at an estimated cost of Rs 11 crore.
According to Thapa’s demand to the chief minister, the route from Lebong to Teesta is likely to be discussed during the meeting.
“If both the routes from Lebong to 3rd Mile and Lebong to Teesta are laid it would be of tremendous help for travellers to Darjeeling,” said a resident.
The meeting, however, has triggered cries of violation of model code of conduct.
“I agree that there should be an alternative route to Darjeeling but holding such a meeting at this time is a violation of the model code of conduct,” said Binay Tamang, a prominent face in hill politics who is supporting the Opposition alliance in Darjeeling.
Tamang that the meeting could be an attempt to “entice and lure voters”.
A lawyer said the state can say a mere routine meeting can't be considered a violation.