SNT keeps Sikkim linked through the bandh

An SNT bus edges past a GJM picket at Rangpo, West Bengal, on
Wednesday morning

SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 09 Feb: The Sikkim Nationalised Transport [SNT] fleet is invariably the only reliable service when it comes to braving bandhs in neighbouring Darjeeling. The heli-service, even when it plies extra flights is limited by capacity [the Pawan Hans chopper is a tight 5-seater], and even the subsidised fares beyond most pockets. So when it comes to passenger service or the transport of essential commodities when the hills in the neighbouring State shut-down, it is the SNT that Sikkim turns to.
The scenario today, Day-1 of the indefinite bandh called by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha in the Darjeeling hills and extended to Sikkim traffic on sections of NH 31A snaking through Darjeeling district, had SNT essaying the same role again. GJM picketers did not allow any vehicle through except those of the armed forces and the SNT. A fleet of 10 SNT buses left Sikkim today and made it to Siliguri, while a fleet of 22 made it into Sikkim from Siliguri. This was the only road traffic which linked Sikkim to the rest of the world today.
A convoy of 10 SNT buses ferried people to Siliguri under an escort of West Bengal Police from Rangpo today.
The buses have left Rangpo at around 11:15 a.m. and safely reached the SNT complex in Siliguri at 3:30 p.m.
SNT officials were camped at Rangpo through most of the day to coordinate the exercise and were in constant touch with the drivers and conductors of the buses over phone throughout their journey to Siliguri.
This set of 10 buses were then advised to stay back in Siliguri overnight and undertake the return journey on Thursday after the situation on the highway was evaluated afresh.
As for the vehicles which made it to Sikkim from Siliguri, they were part of a 22-vehicle SNT convoy, again with West Bengal police escorts. These comprised 14 trucks, 3 tankers and 5 buses, all of the SNT.