A closer look at Mt Kanchenjunga possible now
by Pallav Basu

     Siliguri (West Bengal): Tourists visiting the Darjeeling hills in West Bengal will soon be able to have a closer view of the snowy peaks of Kanchenjunga, also known as the Queen of the Mountains. This will become possible with the reopening of the ropeway service, one of the seven important ways of sightseeing in the state. Since the service was suspended in 2003 due to an accident, it has severely affected the tourism industry in West Bengal. The ropeway will enable the tourists to have repair of the breathtaking view of Kanchenjunga. The West Bengal Forest Development Corporation, in collaboration with the Conveyor and Ropeway Services is working for the renewal of the ropeway services, in the state. "In 2003, it was closed due to the order of State Government following an accident. Four people died and 11 people were injured in that accident. Now, the organisation of Forest Development Corporation is working in collaboration of Conveyor and Ropeway Services (CRS). The ropeway after all the measures that have been taken is likely to be operated by the end of this month," says R R P Singh, General Manager of West Bengal Forest Development Corporation. Since 2003, the tourism business has also been affected due to the suspension of ropeway. The local shops, located near the Darjeeling Ranjeet Valley Ropeway Service, were badly affected after the suspension of the service. "When there were ropeways, there was a inflow of tourists and our business used to run well. But now with the ropeway being closed down, it has affected our livelihood. It is difficult to maintain our living," says Bharat Rai, a shopkeeper.

     The tourists have also expressed disappointment with the suspension of the ropeway service. They feel that it should be reopened as early as possible since it is a major tourist attraction. "The ropeway is a major attraction of Darjeeling. We did not even know that ropeway was closed unless we came here. It is very disappointing. It should be provided for every tourist. We are disappointed since we have come from so far off," says Partha Ganguly, a tourist from Kolkata. Meanwhile, the administration is planning to install safety devices, namely limit switches, rope catches, and a few others along with deployment of security guards to avoid any form of untoward accident. Darjeeling, located at the 2134 metre or 7000ft above sea-level, is one of India's famous hill resorts. Gifted to the British East India Company in 1817, it is called as the queen of hill- stations.
-Oct 30, 2005