Friday, August 28, 2009

Landslides at 17th Mile


GANGTOK, August 27: A major landslide at 17th Mile towards Tsomgo Lake has become a major factor of disappointment for the tourists visiting Sikkim. Almost all the tourists visiting Sikkim have expressed dissatisfaction for losing their chance to visit the famous high altitude lake.
The State Police Department, Check Post has stopped issuing permits to tourists visiting Tsomgo Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathu-La border following massive landslides, which occurred near Kyongsala on July 26.
“Most of the bookings were cancelled after knowing that the road to Tsomgo has been closed,” said Samdup Bhutia, a tour operator. However, the worst affected are the taxi drivers whose business have been hardly hit. “The State Government should put more pressure to the concerned authority to open the route as early as possible,” said one of the taxi drivers.
Another section facing loss in the business are the shop-keepers and hotel owners of Tsomgo, who are compelled to shut down their shops.
Lukendra Rasaily, the general secretary of Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS) said tourism business has been badly hit with the road closure. “Ninety percent of tourists visiting Sikkim want to visit Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir, so very often we face trouble to convince them,” he added.
Majority of the tourists, who come to visit Sikkim just to see the alpine lake are ready to shelve out extra money if arrangement, including permits are made available for an alternative route. The alternative route from Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake via Rhenock and Rongli, it is informed is 100 km extra than the usual route.
It is also informed that many tourists and locals have requested the State Government to start heli-service up to Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir.