Tuesday, Oct 10, 2023 06:00 [IST]
Last Update: Tuesday, Oct 10, 2023 00:24 [IST]
GANGTOK, : The SNT Division under the State Transport department has ferried more than 1,000 tourists, migrant workers and passengers from different locations of Sikkim to Siliguri through the two alternative routes available.
Officials informed that the SNT buses are in operation since October 6 from Mangan, Singtam, Pakyong and Gangtok. Till now, 32 SNT buses have made the trip to Siliguri via Kalimpong, Lava and Gorubathan.
Tourists and migrant workers are being ferried to Siliguri without charging any fare, while for the other commuters, normal fare of Rs. 190 is being charged even though the distance is longer by 90 km than the usual NH 10 route.
Five SNT buses have been stationed in Mangan for emergency purposes.
Meanwhile, the Transport department as directed by Chief Minister PS Golay is working tirelessly to clear the slush and debris at Rangpo IBM area. The department has deployed 17 excavators and 12 trucks.
So far, about 50% of the debris at the Rangpo IBM area has been cleared.
Similarly, oil tankers under the State Transport department are bringing in fuel since October 6 from the depots outside Sikkim. The tankers are taking the Lava-Melli-Namchi-Mamring route.
The PHE department has installed a water hydrant at Rangpo IBM to provide drinking water for the local residents. The department has also installed alternate sewage lines in the Golitar-Singtam area as the existing lines had been damaged by the Teesta River flashflood.
Our men and machine are in the affected spot and we are ready to meet any emergency situation, informed the PHE principal chief engineer-cum-secretary.
The PHE minister is also at the ground, taking stock of the situation and issuing necessary directives, it was informed.
