Traffic snarls: Siliguri-Darjeeling one-way trip now takes over 6 hrs
Times of India | 11 June 2025
123 Darjeeling: Darjeeling is witnessing a massive influx of tourists this season, turning the otherwise serene hill station into a bustling hotspot. What was once a scenic three-hour drive is now stretching to five or even six hours, as traffic snakes through narrow mountain roads. Tourists are also feeling the impact of the traffic. "We left Siliguri at 5.30 am and reached Darjeeling at 10.30 am. Traffic was manageable till NJP to Rohini, but things worsened near Kurseong and became unbearable from Ghum to Darjeeling. We lost half our day stuck on the road," said Abdul Hassam, a resident of Hojai, Assam. Another group of Falakata tourists shared a similar experience. "We started our journey at 10.30 am and reached Darjeeling at 7 pm. The only silver lining was that the slow pace allowed us to take some beautiful photographs along the scenic route," said Deepak Gupta.Basank Roka, a driver, said it took him three hours to reach Darjeeling from Ghum, which is only around 8 km away. "First, crossing Darjeeling town itself is a challenge during the peak morning hours. The ride is smooth between Kurseong to Siliguri, but then, traffic moves at a snail's pace from Kurseong to Darjeeling. Till a few years ago, the entire journey from NJP station to Darjeeling was barely 2.5 to 3 hours. Now it takes almost five hours," said Roka.Darjeeling superintendent of police Praween Prakash said, "Darjeeling has been facing severe traffic congestion over the last two days. The surge in vehicles is largely due to an unexpected rise in the number of tourists, with many travellers opting for Darjeeling instead of landslide-hit Sikkim and Kashmir." Prakash also emphasised the importance of planning ahead, advising tourists to book accommodations in advance and be prepared for longer travel times. "We observed that many tourists arrive in Darjeeling without proper planning. Some struggle to find accommodation and wander around in the town late at night, with a few even spending the night at the railway station," he said. Pradeep Lama, general secretary of Darjeeling Association of Travel Agents, said all hotels were packed, but they were still getting queries for rooms.