Archive · 16 Dec 2025
Tourism Stakeholders Seek Mayor's Help
Some people who work in tourism and transport in Siliguri asked the mayor for help.
There's a problem between drivers from the plains and drivers from the hills.
Some plains drivers say they are not allowed to take tourists sightseeing in Darjeeling and feel unsafe.
The mayor promised to talk to the leader of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration to solve the problem.
They want to fix this issue through talking and not fighting.
If they don't solve it, it might affect the tourist season during Christmas and New Year.
Tourism stakeholders and transporters sought mayor Gautam Deb's intervention to resolve differences between hills and plains drivers.
An incident of vandalism occurred in Lebong, damaging four vehicles from the plains.
Plains drivers allege they are being threatened and not allowed to take tourists sightseeing in Darjeeling.
Mayor Deb promised to talk to GTA chief executive Anit Thapa to resolve the issue through dialogue.
The situation could impact the upcoming tourist season during Christmas and New Year.
- Who
- Tourism stakeholders and transporters based in and around Siliguri
- What
- Sought mayor's intervention to resolve differences between vehicle operators and drivers of the hills and plains
- When
- Monday, following an incident on Saturday night
- Where
- Siliguri and Darjeeling town
- Why
- To resolve the ongoing impasse and prevent potential impact on the upcoming tourist season
Plains Drivers
Hills Drivers
Vehicle Operation Rights
Plains Drivers
Plains drivers claim they are being threatened and not allowed to take tourists sightseeing in Darjeeling.
Hills Drivers
Hills drivers allegedly want to restrict plains drivers to only drop off and pick up tourists, not take them sightseeing.
- Incident Location
- Lebong, outskirts of Darjeeling town
- Date of Incident
- Saturday night
- Vehicles Damaged
- Four vehicles from the plains
- Stakeholders Involved
- Tourism industry and transporters
- Mayor's Response
- Promised to intervene and talk to GTA chief executive
- Potential Impact
- Fear of affecting the upcoming tourist season during Christmas and New Year