GTA plans four-storey parking lot at Chowk Bazaar; traders’ association opposes

DARJEELING,: The proposal by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) to construct a parking lot at Chowk Bazaar here has faced opposition from Path Pasheli Sangh (PPS), the largest traders’ association in the area.

On Monday, officials from the GTA, engineers, surveyors and representatives from the Land Reform department and Darjeeling Municipality began surveying Chowk Bazaar, where the proposed four-storey building is planned.

According to GTA Sabha deputy chairman Rajesh Chowhan, the building will include parking on two floors, while the remaining floors will be allotted to PPS members and Self Help Groups (SHGs). “It is the initiative of GTA chairman Anit Thapa. Darjeeling town has no parking space, which causes traffic congestion and harassment to the public. In the proposed four-storey building, there will be parking lot on two floors while one floor will accommodate the traders and another floor will be for the various SHG and other associations,” said Chowhan.

Currently, Darjeeling town has no designated parking area. Two parking lots, one near Darjeeling Government College on Lebong Cart Road and another at DRC Godown, are located outside the main town area. 

Compounding matters are the vehicles that arrive in the town from different remote areas of Darjeeling ferrying passengers and goods alike and also the tourists and private vehicles which have grown manifold over the years thus choking the town to the brim. This aside, vehicles under various syndicates are parked on the road side all through the day because of lack of proper parking space which clogs traffic and movement of public.

Chowhan mentioned that discussions were held with the traders’ association, who had initially agreed to the proposal. “We have spoken to the traders association and they have agreed to our proposal. Surveyors have started the process of surveying the Chowk Bazar area. We will submit the proposal to the West Bengal government, who will fund the project. Once completed, we feel the perennial problem of traffic jams will be solved to a great extent.”

When asked about the syndicates overtaking the parking lot and not allowing private vehicle to use the space, the deputy chairman said, “We will work out policies and rules to ensure that the general public are allowed to park their vehicles. Taxi syndicates will be given space in the parking lot but will have to follow the norms that will be led out.”

However, later in the day, the PPS held a press meet where they informed that they were against the construction of the four-storey structure at Chowk Bazaar.

“We do not agree to the proposal of the GTA to construct a four-storey building at Chowk Bazaar. We are sceptical about the feasibility as there are various loopholes. Besides, Chowk Bazaar is a heritage area and has to be preserved as such,” said PPS president Biren Bomzan.

The PPS president said that they had an “open minded talk” with the GTA chairman recently and that the latter had said that it was up to the willingness of the stakeholders.

Bomzan also said that the GTA Sabha deputy chairman who did not attend the meeting with the GTA chairman earlier may be unaware of things that had transpired during the meeting and that they would take legal recourse if the building construction was imposed.

“He (Chowhan) was not present during the meeting. We don't know why he has given the statement that we have consented. If the GTA goes ahead with their proposal then we will knock the doors of the court. It must be remembered that we are bound by the Constitution and law,” said the PPS president.

The PPS has over 450 members and this does not include the sweet makers’ association and the Khudra Bikhreta Sangh which also operates at Chowk Bazar.

"Chowk Bazaar is a heritage area. There is Sumeroo Manch from where speeches are given by political parties and general public. Gundri Bazaar is also in Chowk Bazaar. There are very old photographs that shows Chowk Bazaar then and now. Even Subash Ghising during his tenure had said that no structures above fourteen foot should be constructed at Chowk Bazaar,” said Bomzan.

Bomzan also allied fears that the GTA would not be able to maintain the building once completed and that illegal occupancy would arise.

"We have seen how things run the Hills. The old super market was also supposed to have a parking space. Instead now restaurants and grocery stores are operating in the space meant for parking lot. We fear similar things happening,” the PPS president said.

As the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council chairman, Subash Ghising had constructed a super market at the Motor Stand with space for parking on the ground floor. After completion, the super market at the time, was the first of its kind. However, the parking space failed operate with restaurants cropping up instead and now is in a dilapidated state.

"Even if we allow the construction, we are however not sure where we will be rehabilitated and how long the project will take to complete. Our members are in panic," said Bomzan.