25/11/2021
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT CHAMBER OF CHAIRMAN STDC ON 24TH NOVEMBER 2021
A meeting was held on 24th Nov 2021 in office of Chairman STDC , Gangtok in presence of Shri Lukendra Rasaily ( Chairman STDC) , Shri A.K Tamang ( Additional S.P,Traffic), Shri Pravin Lamichaney ( DSP , Traffic), Shri Roshan Pradhan ( RTO East ), Sonam Norgay Lachungpa ( President TAAS) , Yangchen T. Lepcha (GS TAAS), Ramesh Basnett (Treasurer TAAS), Phurba Sherpa ( TAAS cm President , JN Road Taxi Driver Association), Chamba C. Sherpa (President ASTHA) and Lalit Gurung ( Chairman SUTO) . The main agenda of the meet was various Traffic Issues arising in Gangtok area due to the paucity of parking space in Gangtok Main. The main issues is traffic congestion due to the various development work going on in and around Gangtok , secondly some of the taxi stands temporary shifted in different area of Gangtok which is somehow affecting the local as well as tourist vehicle parking and movement , Thirdly during Office and School timing there is a traffic issues going on in most of the main areas of Gangtok which is affecting the public transportation in many terms . This meeting was held keeping in mind such issues which need to be resolved.
As per the statement of SP traffic the main issue arising is due to the hotels in particular main areas of Gangtok such as M.G. Marg , Kazi Road , Tibet Road , Pani House etc do not have parking facilities in their premises, in such areas if the tourist pickup and drop is done stopping the vehicle on the main road is creating traffic-related issues . So to control such issues the department is looking for a solution for the betterment of the public as well as the stakeholders.
After a panel discussion and as per the suggestion of Chairman STDC the meeting came with a proposal of the time bound limit in such main areas of Gangtok which will have a pickup and drop of the tourist with a time limitation of morning 8:30am ( latest by 9:00 am ) which is applicable to all Luxury Vehicles , after the time limit if the vehicle is found giving their duty from the main road disturbing the traffic movement shall be fined . Only if the hotel in such areas having their own parking premises then pick up and drop by the Luxury vehicle shall be permitted. The areas such as Bye-Pass road and further where there is less number of traffic movements shall not have any time limitation for Pickup and drop of tourist Luxury Vehicle. There is a special request from the DSP traffic to all the Tourist vehicle that if the pickup and drop of the tourist came across the timing of Office and School Traffic movement (i.e. 9:00am to 12:00) than try to engage the tourist in some activities beyond Gangtok Main area for at-least an hour to avoid hassle traffic movement or start before the main Traffic timing.
Decision
1. Every pick up by Luxury vehicles from the hotel should be done before 9am and should have crossed Deorali by 9 am.
2. Drop can be at any time directly to the Hotel. Road side tourist dropping will not be entertained.
The meeting had a fruitful discussion and had come to an end with a thanks giving by president TAAS to all the Department dignitaries and Chairman STDC for having a thought for the welfare of the Tourism Fraternity
