Darjeeling MP Raju Bista Pushes for Highway and Ropeway Projects to Ease Hill Traffic
Darjeeling is set to benefit from a renewed push for infrastructure development, with local MP Raju Bista urging the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to expedite alternative connectivity projects aimed at reducing chronic traffic congestion in the region. Bista welcomed the Ministry’s move to initiate a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for an alternative highway route via Lebong, Dabai Pani, and Teesta—an overdue solution to the limitations of the outdated and overburdened National Highway 110.
In a formal communication to the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Bista called the DPR a critical step forward but maintained that further efforts are required. He has proposed a second alternative highway alignment between Siliguri and Darjeeling, passing through Orali, Balason, Dhotrey, Pussumbeng, and Ghoom. This alignment, he noted, would directly address gridlock issues and better serve key hill towns including Kurseong, Mirik, Sonada, and Pokhriabong.
The MP has also appealed to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to conduct a detailed feasibility and alignment study for this new route. Highlighting the daily strain on commuters, medical patients, students, and tourists, he asserted that the region’s current road infrastructure cannot cope with rising demand and requires urgent modernisation.
In addition to road projects, Bista has pitched the inclusion of a ropeway between Ghoom and Darjeeling under the central government’s Parvatmala Project. Intended to provide sustainable transportation in hill regions, the ropeway would serve as an eco-friendly alternative to vehicular traffic, while reducing emissions and preserving the area’s fragile environment. Bista argued that the ropeway would align with the goals of the Parvatmala initiative and could become a cornerstone in a modern hill transport system. He urged the Ministry to commission a feasibility study, stressing that such projects are essential for tourism growth, reduced traffic volume, and long-term regional development.
Several non-political civil society organisations have also endorsed Bista’s proposals, reflecting widespread public support for better infrastructure in the Darjeeling-Siliguri belt. Local businesses, environmental groups, and residents have echoed the need for cleaner, faster, and safer mobility solutions. Bista concluded by emphasizing that these proposals are more than traffic fixes—they are vital investments in the region’s future, promising economic upliftment, enhanced quality of life, and the preservation of Darjeeling’s ecological and cultural identity.
