NEW BUSES ON GANGTOK ROADS BY SNT

New buses to hit Gangtok roads

GANGTOK, 19 JUNE: In an attempt to ensure better connectivity to Gangtok from the nearby areas, the state transport department is preparing to add 35 more buses in its fleet.

The Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) division which presently has 84 buses connecting various parts of the state and also Siliguri, would procure 35 buses under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

Mr LM Pradhan, general manager, SNT Division, said: “The 35 seater vehicles will connect Gangtok with the adjacent areas. Once the service kicks off, it would provide hassle free travel to the capital city”.

The service would connect Deorali, Sichey, Luing, Lingdok, Penlong, Marchak, Jalipool, Adampool, Rumtek, Pakyong airport, Tashiling Secretariate and Kanchanjunga National Park with Gangtok.

A detailed project report based on the guidelines of Central Institute of Road Transport, Pune, has been forwarded to the Union ministry of urban development, for approval.

According to Mr Pradhan, the state government would have 10 percent input in the Rs 5.4 crore project while the rest would be borne by the Union ministry of urban development. Interestingly, the move comes as part of the UPA government’s 100 days’ programme which aims to add 14,000 new buses across India.

Considering traffic congestion and steep gradient, the SNT has opted to procure 35 seater mini buses under this project. New drivers are likely to be recruited by the SNT to fulfill its requirements for the new buses that are to be added.
Proposed bus services to Kolkata, Patna , Kathmandu (Nepal) and Pheuntsoling (Indo-Bhutan border) is also under review by the SNT. “Extra buses would be available for packaged tours during the touring season” Mr Pradhan said.