30/07/2025
*Office of Raju Bista*
*Press Release*
*30th of July, 2025*
Speaking in the Parliament today, I placed a formal demand for the development of an Alternative Highway connecting Darjeeling to Siliguri via Balason.
I informed the Parliament, that despite being one of India’s most iconic hill tourism destinations, Darjeeling is facing growing accessibility challenges. The main route to Darjeeling, National Highway 110 (former NH 55), built during the British era, is heavily overburdened.
Designed for far less traffic, it now carries over 15,000 vehicles daily, which is more than double its capacity. This causes frequent traffic jams and gridlocks, during peak hours and tourist seasons. This is severely impacting the lives of the locals, especially students, medical patients and officer goers, and also the tourists and visitors, whose numbers are declining due to massive traffic jams.
To address this, I have requested the government to prioritize the construction of an alternative highway from Siliguri to Darjeeling via Balason. This new route would decongest NH-110 (former NH55) and connect underserved rural areas of Kurseong, Mirik, Sonada, Rangbull, Dhotrey-Pussumbeng, Sukhia Pokhari, and Pokhrebong valley, thereby unlocking economic opportunities and improving regional mobility.
Given Darjeeling’s steep and sensitive terrain, I also called for modern, sustainable transport solutions. I proposed the development of ropeway systems under the Parvatmala scheme, including links from Ghoom to Darjeeling and Darjeeling to Bijanbari, and Delo to Kalimpong, Kalimpong to Relli, and Chitrey. These ropeways would not only offer efficient, eco-friendly travel options, it will also ease pressure on the roads, while enhancing the tourism experience.
I am confident that with the Central and State government support, these initiatives will lay the foundation for a more accessible, economically vibrant, and sustainable Darjeeling, once again reclaiming its legacy as a world-class tourism destination.
*Raju Bista*
*Member of Parliament, Darjeeling and*
*National Spokesperson, BJP*