Gangamaya Park opens for visitors

DARJEELING: The recreational spot of Gangamaya Park, about 12 km away from Darjeeling town, was reopened for tourists and local visitors from Monday after completion of renovation works. The authorities have also re-introduced ticketing system to the Gangamaya Park and the Rock Garden, 4 km above the park.

The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) had stopped charging entry fee for many places under the Tourism department from 2018 onwards. The ticketing system is being done to generate maintenance funds for these tourism spots.

GTA assistant tourism director Suraj Sharma said: “Gangamaya Park had been closed since two years back due to siltation formed in the lake. The road conditions to both the Rock Garden and the Gangamaya Park were not proper. Due to the agitation in 2017, nothing much could be done but now the roads have also been repaired to the area along with renovation work done at Ganagmaya Park after which it was opened on Monday.”

However, around a half km of road stretch to Gangamaya Park is yet to be done with work in progress.

“We have also started a ticket system with the entry fee being Rs 20 and Rs 50 charged for boating at Gangamaya Park which will be started soon. Four boats have also arrived at Jamuney and it will also start within this month,” said Sharma adding that the entry fee to Jamuney and the boating charges will also be the same as Gangamaya Park.