GJM cancels victory rally, to hold public event at Chowrasta

DARJEELING, : To avoid traffic congestion in the hills, the GorkhaJanmuktiMorcha (GJM) has decided to cancel its planned election victory rally on Saturday and instead hold a programme at Chowrasta.

The Morcha youth leader NomanRai had won from the Darjeeling Assembly seat on a BJP ticket, with the party in alliance with the BJP.

“People are facing a lot of problems due to traffic jams, especially from Sonada onwards to Darjeeling. Those with medical needs are suffering the most. Keeping this in mind, on May 16, as part of our victory celebrations, we had initially planned two programmes simultaneously near the District Magistrate’s office and the Railway Station. However, we have now changed the plan and will hold a single programme at Chowrasta where people will gather,” said GJM president BimalGurung.

He added that no rally would be held to ensure that the event does not add to existing traffic congestion, and also appealed to other parties to avoid organising rallies during this period.

Gurung also emphasised the need for a dedicated parking facility in the hills, stating that the party would work towards addressing the issue.

“We will work towards solving the traffic problem in the hills, for which proper parking facilities are required. We are considering the demolition of the Ghoom DRC godown to develop a parking lot that can accommodate thousands of vehicles. This is a priority and the need of the hour,” he said, adding that similar parking facilities had been developed earlier during his tenure as GTA chief.

He further suggested reducing the number of large buses entering Darjeeling town, proposing that they be halted at Ghoom, with smaller local vehicles ferrying passengers into town. He also mentioned plans to complete the parking lot at the PWD premises, stating that these initiatives would be pursued in consultation with the government.