Siliguri, 09th January: Vehicles operating from Siliguri to Darjeeling and Mirik will remain closed on January 11. Due to the protest called by Terai Drivers Organization, over 500 drivers will not drive on the day.
Addressing a press conference in Siliguri today, the members of the organization said that since 2012, the government-determined fare for vehicles travelling from Siliguri to Darjeeling has not been increased from the present Rs 130. Due to this, drivers are facing difficulties supporting their families in the present scenario. In view of this, the drivers have demanded a fare hike.
Apart from this, tourists vehicle has to get permission from Darjeeling Police to visit Tiger Hill. In this context, organization officials said that it takes 1 day to get the said permission. Due to this, the drivers face a loss of one full day.
To tackle this situation, the organization has put forward a demand to open a centre in Siliguri where the drivers can apply and receive permission to take tourists to Tiger Hill and return on the same day. A letter has also been sent by the organization to the district administration in support of this demand.
