The Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus in Siliguri has opened separate passenger dormitories and a lounge ahead of the festive season, adding overnight accommodation and waiting space at one of north Bengal’s key transport hubs.
The facilities were inaugurated on Monday by Anandamay Barman, the minister of state for transport and finance. They have been developed by the state-run North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC), which operates services from the terminus.
The new dormitory has 20 beds in total, with 14 beds reserved for male passengers and six for female passengers. A passenger will be charged ₹300 for a 12-hour stay. The facility is intended to assist travellers who face long breaks between bus services or arrive in Siliguri before their onward journey.
The terminus lounge has seating capacity for around 100 passengers. Use of the lounge will cost ₹20 per hour, providing travellers with a designated place to rest during journey breaks. The charges and capacity were announced at the inauguration.
“Despite the terminus being an old facility, we have planned to introduce more amenities for passengers here,” Barman said, according to the report. The additions come before the holiday period, when Siliguri is expected to see increased movement of tourists and passengers travelling through north Bengal.
Siliguri is a major gateway to the hills, forests, wildlife destinations and pilgrimage locations of the region. The bus terminus therefore serves not only local commuters but also travellers heading towards destinations across the Darjeeling hills, the Dooars and other parts of north Bengal. The new facilities expand the services available to passengers within the existing terminus rather than creating a new transport terminal.
Alongside the passenger amenities, the NBSTC is preparing special tourist packages from Siliguri for Durga Puja and other festive periods. The corporation plans to structure the packages in consultation with professional tour operators, with the stated aim of providing affordable options for visitors exploring the region.
One proposed two-day itinerary may cover Jaldhaka and Bindu, as well as forest destinations in the Dooars such as Lataguri, Gorumara National Park and Gajoldoba. Another planned package from Siliguri is expected to include Jaldapara National Park, an overnight stay and a wildlife safari, followed by visits to the Chilapata forest, Buxa Tiger Reserve and Jayanti.
The NBSTC is also considering daylong excursions from Siliguri. The proposed trips include a heritage tour to Mungpoo, visits to Samsing and Suntalekhola, and a tour to Mirik. The plans cover a mix of mountainous landscapes, forests, wildlife areas, pilgrimage sites and heritage locations.
The dormitories and lounge are now operational, while the tourist packages remain in the planning stage. The NBSTC official said the packages were likely to be introduced during Durga Puja and other festive seasons after consultation with tour operators.
