Honeymoon vacation in darjeeling india | Darjeeling Tourism | Popular Hill station in India

Darjeeling is a Himalayan town in the Indian state of West Bengal.Darjeeling is popularly known as the "Queen of hills" and produces the famous Darjeeling Tea, one of the world's finest teas. It is also home to the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Darjeeling is one of the famous among all the hill stations. Fresh air, natural beauty and welcoming people attract the tourists from all over the world. There are many other attractions at this place and some of them are passenger ropeway, tiger hils, tea garden, botonical garden and more.

Honeymoon vacation in darjeeling india, Darjeeling Tourism, Popular Hill station in India, Darjeeling Hill Station and much more

Boxed Blessings: A Buddhist Procession in Darjeeling

Darjeeling, like most places in the Himalaya, is a Buddhist community. And like most places in India will find an excuse to hold a parade, festival or celebration most weeks of the year.

We were lucky enough to be there as they marked the enlightenment of Lord Buddha. (Before anyone disputes this information, a little Googling has taught me that “there are regional and sectarian differences as to how these great rites of passage are celebrated” and it seems the dates vary from country to country and from tradition to tradition.) We watched the procession as it grew in size and decibels from under the eaves of our room. Unperturbed by the accuracy of dates, we downed a quick breakfast of tea, toast and eggs and went out to join the fun.
Maroon and orange-clad monks played musical instruments, banging drums and cymbals with huge concentration, accompanied by a variety of loud horns. The instruments were different to anything I had seen before and as far as I could tell it was a case of picking a note and blowing as hard as possible.
One particular type of horn was about twelve feet long: the business end held by the ‘blower’ (to call him a musician would be unfair to musicians) while another man balanced the wider, heavier end on his shoulder or under his arms, often supporting two of these gigantic horns at the same time.
We watched the procession snake past the Dekeling for about half an hour. No sooner had one group of musicians receded with its attendant crowd of worshippers, than the next little band arrived. The percussion section had great rhythm, but it was difficult to pick out a melody among the layer of single note horns. To add to the carnival atmosphere – and to detract from the horns – ear-splitting fire crackers were set off down dark side lanes by high-spirited young men.

Some of the monks carried statues of Buddha in palanquin-style boxes. Arranged across two parallel bars they held Him on their shoulders. Followers bent their heads and ran underneath these icons with great seriousness and occasional glee.
We broke through the throng lining the streets and joined in the parade. It was a happy occasion, and out of earshot of the cacophony people smiled in silence, or chatted quietly as they slowly followed the procession.

I was blessed twice, but the sharp corners crashing onto my crown caused me to yelp, much to the hilarity of those around me.

Some of the schoolgirls and mums walking along with us carried rectangular prayer boxes brought from the temples. They blessed people as they passed by, touching the boxes to their heads. I was blessed twice, but the sharp corners crashing onto my crown caused me to yelp, much to the hilarity of those around me. Someone was listening, though, because my prayers not to end up bruised were answered.
The procession took in all of Darjeeling and lasted for several hours. At various stages water and orange juice were handed out to the grateful walkers. In the built up areas people hung over balconies either side of the road, wafting incense towards the parade from their windows. The fragrant smoke permeated the lanes, and as the damp, earthy smell of autumn mingled with the incense and slight chill in the air it became a magical experience.
This was a special way to get to know the beautiful ‘Queen of Hills’ and we were lucky to have been in the right place at the right time. We were indeed blessed.
Source:http://www.followtheboat.com/2011/10/27/boxed-blessings-a-buddhist-procession-in-darjeeling/

Darjeeling tea gets EU’s protected tag

TNN Oct 27, 2011, 03.58AM IST

BRUSSELS: The European Union (EU) has registered India's Darjeeling tea with a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). The tag seeks to protect product names from misuse and imitation. This has made Darjeeling tea the seventh non-EU product receiving the protected status, following one from Colombia and five from China.

In all, Darjeeling tea has been added to over 1,000 names of agricultural products and foodstuff protected as PGIs in the EU, according to the European Commission, the EU's executive body.

Three EU schemes, PGI along with PDO (protected designation of origin) and TSG (traditional speciality guaranteed) promote and protect names of quality agricultural products and foodstuff. These EU schemes encourage diverse agricultural production, protect product names from misuse and imitation and help consumers by giving them information concerning the specific character of the products.

For existing blends mixing Darjeeling tea with non-Darjeeling tea, the EU regulation foresees a five-year transitional period during which the term can continue to be used. After this period these blends would have to be renamed.

Source:http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-27/india/30327762_1_darjeeling-tea-india-s-darjeeling-product

Wooden footbridge collapse toll in Darjeeling rises to 34

Posted: Sun Oct 23 2011, 09:17 hrs

Darjeeling: The death toll in the collapse of a wooden footbridge over Little Rangeet River in Darjeeling district rose to 34 with 10 persons succumbing to their injuries today.

The toll is likely to increase further as some of the victims are seriously injured, hospital sources said.

Chief Medical Officer of Darjeeling Subir Bhowmik said the 10 persons succumbed to their injuries at the North Bengal Medical College Hospital at Siliguri and at Darjeeling Sadar Hospital.

The old wooden footbridge at Bijanbari in Darjeeling district, which was weakened after the September 18 eartquake, gave way under crowd pressure during a Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) meeting nearby at Bijanbari yesterday.

Army personnel of the Mountain Brigade and the Army Medical Corps have joined the fire brigade, police and disaster management personnel in the rescue operation and mobilized some ambulances at their disposal.

Some of the injured have also been admitted to Army hospitals, district administration sources said.

West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan today visited the Darjeeling Sadar Hospital and promised all help to the kin of the victims and those injured.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who visited the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, instructed the hospital authorities to provide best treatment possible the expenses of would be borne by the state government.

Mamata also announced the state government's decision to pay Rs two lakh to the families of the deceased, Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured persons and Rs 25,000 each to the persons who suffered minor injuries.

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/wooden-footbridge-collapse-toll-in-darjeeling-rises-to-34/864272/

Darjeeling bridge collapse kills dozens

Published Date: October 25, 2011

Festivities turned into mourning as a bridge collapsed killing 34 and leaving 132 injured in the mountainous hamlet of Bijanbari, 30 kilometers from Darjeeling, on the eve of a festival season.

The old wooden footbridge over Little Rangeet river in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, gave way under the pressure of a crowd on October 22.

Over 300 people sang and danced on the bridge, weakened by the September 18 earthquake, ignoring warnings, said Jesuit Father Peter Bhujal who works in the area.

People were attending a cultural program organized by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (Gorkha people’s liberation front), the main political party in the area.

Father Bhujal, who lives close to the accident site, said the Church’s help was not required as the government provided timely medical care and rescue operations.

The accident has dampened the festive mood among ethnic Nepalis living in the area, who are celebrating Tihar, Nepal’s second biggest festival, he said.

Fr Valentine Rai, director of Darjeeling diocese’s social works, said the government is doing a lot for the victims of the accident, and therefore there was no scope for the Church to be involved.

The bridge was not properly maintained by the local administration, and it was human error that led to the accident, Fr Rai said.

Source: ucanews.com

Hills to miss festivities this Diwali

Deep Gazmer, TNN Oct 25, 2011, 02.09PM IST

DARJEELING: The Hills will be bereft of the festivities that 'Tihar' or Diwali brings with it. To pay homage to the 32 victims, including children, who died in the bridge collapse at Bijanbari on Saturday, the people have decided to celebrate Diwali without the usual frill and frolic.

Bijanbari and the nearby villages of Liza Hill, Chungthung, Marybong has been cast in gloom since Saturday. However, people in the town would be celebrating the festival. But they have planned to keep it low key to show solidarity with the affected people of Bijanbari. "It is terrible that so many people including children died in the accident. I cannot consciously celebrate Tihar with the same enthusiasm like I had last year," said Mukta Gazmer, a resident of Darjeeling town.

Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leaderships have asked people to tone down on their Diwali celebrations to show solidarity with the family of the victims.

The GJM secretary Roshan Giri said on Monday, "First the earthquake hit the Hills and now this accident. So many lives have been lost. I appeal to people to keep the celebration to the minimum." The traders had in the three towns of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong had already started stocking fire crackers and other Diwali items on their shelves. "We can understand the situation and are fully with the affected of the bridge accident.

We don't expect people to celebrate Tihar with grandeur but nevertheless we have kept some items as we had already stocked our goods," said a shop owner at Chowk Bazaar.

On Saturday the wooden suspension bridge across the Chota Rungeet River in Bijenbari collapsed due to overload, tossing people below on the boulders and killing several and injuring more then 130. The death toll has remained at 32 according to government officials. "There has not been any further deaths and the count remains at 32. The injured are being treated at the Darjeeling sadar and Siliguri hospitals.

Seventy-one injured are still being treated at the Darjeeling district hospital. Though, most injured are said to be out of danger but Ramesh Sharma 28 of Kolbong village near Bijenbari will have to have one of his hand amputated due to infection.

Families of some of the dead conducted the last rite rituals of their beloved today at the Chota Rungeet river, the very spot where the accident happened. They had to wait for other members of the family to arrive from other places.

State ministers to have started visiting Bijenbari to express their condolence to the family members of the dead. Today, the state irrigation and waterways minister Manas Bhuniya, on Monday, visited the injured people in the Darjeeling district hospital and assured help. On Sunday, Rajya Sabha MP Saman Pathak and former urban development minister Asoke Bhattacharya too reached Bijanbari to pacify and show solidarity to family members. Political parties like the All India Gorkha League (AIGL) and the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM) offered condolences to the families of the dead and injured through press statements.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-25/kolkata/30319805_1_diwali-bridge-accident-darjeeling

Darjeeling Hills municipal elections in December

Monday, 26 September 2011 16:19 Written by Amitava Banerjee, Hindustan Times

The elections to the four Darjeeling Hill municipalities in West Bengal will be held on December 11, 2011. This is the first local body election since 2004. Talking to HT, Saumitra Mohan, District Magistrate, Darjeeling stated "We have received an official communication from Kolkata stating that election to the Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Mirik Municipalities will be held on December 11. However we are yet to receive the schedule, which we expect to be sent to us shortly."

The last Municipal election in the Hills had been held in 2004. With the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) managing to seize power by driving out the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) leaders and supporters from the Hills in mid 2008, the GNLF Municipal Councillors had defected to the GJM. The GJM agitating for a separate state had put an halt to elections to the Municipalities and Panchayats.

Since then, the four Hill Municipalities have been run by boards of administrators headed by the SDO in the capacity of Chairman of the Board in each sub division of the District. The other member in each Board is Director, Department of Local Bodies.

However since the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the Centre, State and GJM for the formation of an autonomous administrative body on July 18, 2011 followed by the passing of the GTA 2011 Bill in the West Bengal Assembly on September 2, there have been reports of the Government planning to hold elections to the civic bodies in the Hills. The matter had also cropped up in a meeting between chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the GJM Chief Bimal Gurung in Kolkata on August 3, 2011.

Even the Panchayat elections are overdue in the Hills since 2005. There are certain complications regarding the Panchayat system in the Hills. While the rest of the country boasts of a three tier Panchayat system, the Indian Constitution had been amended in 1998 (with the formation of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council- DGHC) to incorporate a two tier panchayat system in the DGHC area comprising of the Panchayat and Panchayat Samity.

The GJM has been demanding that this unique system should be reverted back to the three-tier Panchayat system. As this would be a time taking complex process (the constitution has to be re-amended) the GJM has now agreed to hold Panchayat elections following which the process of reverting back could be initiated (only after the formation of the GTA)

The GJM leaders including Gurung have opined that number of development activities especially under the Municipality have been hampered and hence have demanded immediate elections to the Hill civic bodies.

Source: http://www.darjeelingtimes.com/main-news/politics/3589-darjeeling-hills-municipal-elections-in-december.html

Cave-in on Darjeeling road

Siliguri, Sept. 28: A fresh landslide has caused a cave-in on NH55 at Tindharia this morning, creating uncertainty over the opening of the highway that connects Darjeeling with Siliguri and has been shut since June 16 last year.

The road along with the toy train tracks has collapsed along a 150-metre stretch, a repetition of what had happened at Paglajhora last year. At Paglajhora, a known sink zone, the road had given away along a stretch of 500 metres.

Since the earthquake on September 18, there have been instances of boulders and slush slipping down the hillside on NH55.

PWD engineers said the restoration would be difficult because though it takes only a few hours to clear debris, the road has altogether disappeared at Tindharia, like it did in Paglajhora.

“This will disrupt road connectivity between Siliguri and Tindharia through NH55,” Nirmal Mondal, the executive engineer of NH-IX division of the state PWD, said today.

“After a similar damage in Paglajhora last year, people from Siliguri could at least reach Tindharia through NH55. After today, this road cannot be used altogether. Unlike other places where debris can be cleared within hours, there is no sign of the road here.”

Paglajhora is about 35km from here and 5km from Tindharia.

The road at both the spots have to be built from below till the highway level, engineers said.

Since last year, all small vehicles have been travelling on the Sukna-Simulbari-Rohini-Kurseong route to reach Darjeeling. Although the route takes a little more than three hours — almost like NH55 — the road is narrow and dotted with potholes.

The problem is greater for heavy vehicles that have to go through the Sevoke-Mungpoo route to Darjeeling, the broadest after NH55 but it is more time and fuel-consuming. It takes at least six hours to reach Darjeeling through this route.

Mondal said if the rain continued, it would be difficult to restore the road by this year.

“We had almost finished working on the stretch at Paglajhora and had planned to allow traffic from September 25, but before that the earthquake struck. Since then, the frequency of debris and stones rolling down the hillside has increased in the area, creating pressure on the sink zone. If the downpour continues, the situation will worsen. It will be difficult for us to work in this weather. We have serious doubts if the highway can be opened by 2011,” Mondal said.

Scared by the fresh landslide at least 10 families with houses along the highway have shifted to “safer” places.

“This morning, around 10am when it was raining heavily, suddenly we heard a noise like something huge tumbling down. We rushed out of our homes and found that the road had gone down,” said Esther Sharma, who lives near the Hill Cart Road in Tindharia.

Source: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110929/jsp/siliguri/story_14564592.jsp

Fully booked: Puja high for Bengal tourism

IANS Sep 28, 2011, 01.53pm IST

Private operators and hoteliers are ecstatic over full bookings for the coming festive season, heralded in West Bengal by Durga Puja, an occasion that draws hundreds of expatriates back home.

"This puja we hope to do better business than in the last three years. All the hotels and tourist destinations are fully booked. It is a chock-a-block situation this year," said an elated Raj Basu, chairman, Eastern Himalayas Travel and Tour Operators' Association (Ehttoa).

The usual tourist destinations in north Bengal are the hill towns of Darjeeling, often referred to as the Queen of the Hills, Kalimpong and Kurseong, apart from forests in Jaldapara, Dooars and Gorumara.

Sunderbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, with its wild beauty, Royal Bengal Tigers and winding boat rides also attracts a large number of visitors.

"As per recent reports, all hotel rooms are fully booked in the northern part of the state. Tour operators are having a tough time in adjusting the flow of tourists. The numbers have gone up substantially," said Deepak Parekh, member, Travel Agents Federation of India, eastern zone.

The tour operators are expecting a 75 per cent jump in tourist inflow to north Bengal compared to the last three years.

The signs are positive. North Bengal has escaped major damage in the quake, peace is back in Darjeeling and the government is formulating special packages for drawing tourists to the Sunderbans.

West Bengal becomes a popular tourist destination during October and November when around 100,000 foreigners and visitors from other parts of the country turn up in the state to drench themselves in the spirit of autumnal festivities that include the five-day Durga Puja festival followed by Diwali and Kali Puja.

This year, Durga Puja begins Oct 2.

Darjeeling with its varied landscape and spectacular beauty has been a favourite and affordable destination not only for Bengalis but also for people across the globe.

Tourism in Darjeeling, which accounts for substantial revenues for the state tourism industry, has been badly hit since 2008 when the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) revived a violent stir in support of forming a separate state of Gorkhaland.

Now the internationally famous hill resort is hoping to return to its good old days after the inking of a peace accord in July.

Parekh confessed that tour operators have been receiving hundreds of anxious calls about the conditions in Darjeeling from tourists who have done advance booking for the Durga Puja season after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake rocked large parts of northern and eastern India Sep 18.

"We are monitoring the whole situation but as of now there have been no major cancellations," Parekh said. Basu said the rush of tourists for Durga Puja is scheduled to start Thursday.

Parekh's concerns were echoed by Jeet Pradhan of Janmukti Hotel Owners Association, the largest hotel association in North Bengal.

"Though there have been no major cancellations, we are concerned," said Pradhan.

During the month-long festive season, north Bengal hoteliers expect 15 days of full occupancy and 15 days of partial occupancy.

State Tourism Minister Rachpal Singh said nothing much should be read into the calls being made by tourists.

"Actually this is due to the temporary problem. Most of the roads have opened there and we are working tirelessly to repair the damage," said Singh.

With all schools and most of the offices closed during the four days of Puja, people prefer short tours to various destinations.

The Sunderbans affairs ministry is also rolling out the red carpet.

"We have ensured that more motor boats and launches are run during this season as a lot of tourists come just after Puja. This tourist season extends till the end of November. We have taken all steps for the security of the tourists," Sunderbans Development Minister Shyamal Mondol said.

"We are getting a good number of bookings for the post-Durga Puja season. Most of the house boat-type launches which house tourists during this season are fully booked," said Debjit, a tour operator.

Going by the slogan of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of turning Kolkata into London, the state tourism industry is introducing roofless double-decker buses, a hot air balloon service and helicopter services to attract more tourists.

"We are planning to bring 10 Volvo buses, two roofless double-decker buses during this Puja as special attraction. We are also planning hot air balloon services and helicopter services for the tourists," said Singh.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-28/travel/30212431_1_durga-puja-tourist-destinations-bengal-tourism

Army to build bridge on landslide-hit road

Deep Gazmer, TNN Sep 28, 2011, 03.34am IST

DARJEELING: The army stepped in on Tuesday to build a metal bridge at the landslide-hit area to help resume traffic movement. Sunday's landslide had devoured a 30-metre stretch of the Lebong Cart Road. Vehicular movement from the main town to the northern parts had to be diverted to the upper stretches where the road is narrow and small.

The 113 Engineer Regiment of the Indian army at Lebong surveyed the landslide site near Sharma Garage just above the Happy Valley tea estate. "Work to build the bridge would begin from Wednesday and we hope to resume vehicular movement within three days," said Brigadier R S Rawat, of the Dogra Regiment. The bridge on completion will be christened 'Mayaloo 113' after the regiment's number.

The PWDwill continue with the repair of the road work. tnn "We were already in the process of restoring the road that was damaged prior to the earthquake and the landslide. Now we will concentrate in strengthening the road from the bottom," said a senior PWD official.

The Dogra Regiment is located at Lebong about four kilometers from the landslide area.

The Lebong Cart Road connects the town with Singamari, where Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's (GJM) main office and reputed boarding schools and colleges are located. It also leads to Sikkim via Jorethang. Several tea gardens are also located beyond the landslide site.

Trilok Dewan, the Darjeeling MLA visited the landslide site with the army and district administration officials. "It is encouraging to see the army at the fore. I request the district administration to ensure that the army is not impeded while they are at work to restore traffic movement," said Dewan.

Bengal Governor M.K.Narayanan arrived in Darjeeling on Tuesday and visited the landslide area in the afternoon. He will be meeting officials of the district administration later in the evening to take stock of the situation in the Hills post the earthquake and landslide.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-28/kolkata/30212203_1_landslide-hit-road-work-indian-army

Governor in Hills to monitor relief work

Deep Gazmer, TNN Sep 28, 2011, 03.36am IST

DARJEELING: West Bengal governor M K Narayanan on Tuesday arrived in the Hills to take stock of the relief measures that have been undertaken after the September 18 earthquake damaged properties worth crores and killed six people.

On his way to Darjeeling, the governor visited Giddeypahar in Kurseong and met the affected people there. The 6.8 magnitude earthquake had brought down two buildings at Giddeypahar.

In Darjeeling, Narayanan first visited the district hospital and inquired about the patients. He inspected the fourth floor of the hospital that had developed cracks. The governor asked the chief medical officer whether any patient was hurt or medical equipment had been damaged in the earthquake.

Being aware of the fact that patients had ran away from the hospital on the night of the earthquake, the governor asked, "Has the patients who had run away returned?" S Bhowmick, the Darjeeling district chief medical officer of health, informed the governor that 59 people injured in the earthquake had been admitted at various government hospitals in the Hills region and that six had died.

Later in the day, Narayanan visited Lebong Cart Road, where a massive landslide devoured a 30-metre stretch on the road late Sunday night. The northern parts of Darjeeling have remained cut off since then as all vehicular movement along the road has been suspended.

The army has taken the responsibility to construct a bridge to facilitate movement of vehicles.

The governor will visit Kalimpong on Wednesday. He will then return to Kolkata and submit his report to the state government on the situation in the Hills.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-28/kolkata/30212125_1_west-bengal-governor-magnitude-earthquake-relief-work

Bengal seeks RITES help to upgrade tourism infra

Kolkata, Sept. 27:

The West Bengal government has sought the expertise of RITES to upgrade infrastructure for promoting tourism in the city, Darjeeling Hills and the sea resort town of Digha.

“We have approached the RITES, a Central agency engaged in providing engineering consultancy, for a comprehensive and sustainable tourism project. We are waiting for their response,” Tourism Minister, Mr Rachpal Singh said.

Noting that the State had tremendous potential in the field of tourism, he said it needed to develop infrastructure to draw tourists from other states and abroad.

“Infrastructure could be improved on the basis of the RITES report. The cost required for the development could also be known only after the report is received,” he said.

Two projects – Kolkata Heritage Mega Tourism Project and Dooars Mega Tourism Circuit – have been given priority for the year 2011-12, he said.

To revive the lost glory of Darjeeling, the Tourism Department has proposed to renovate and restore some of the iconic heritage properties there, the Minister said.

These heritage buildings included Planters' Club, Gymkhana Club, St. Andrew's Church, Darjeeling and Kalimpong Monasteries, etc.

The Tourism Department also has plans to restore houses such as Tagore Museum and Sureil Bungalow, associated with Rabindranath Tagore at Mongpu in Darjeeling district.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article2490730.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

Special safety drive in Darjeeling for Pujas

Deep Gazmer, TNN Sep 24, 2011, 07.41am IST

Darjeeling: Police have embarked upon a special drive to keep the Hills trouble-free with the festive season slated to set in within a week.

"We have requested restaurants owners not to keep their establishments open after 10pm. The situation in the Hills is different from that of the plains where things start buzzing from late in the evening," said LT Bhutia, inspector in-charge of Darjeeling sadar police station.

The officer reasoned that during festivities, rowdy youths have the tendency to create trouble in an inebriated state. "Since tourists would be visiting the Hills during Durga Puja, we want to ensure that such incidents don't occur and sour the occasion," Bhutia said. Darjeeling police have already held a couple of meetings with hoteliers, restaurant owners and travel agents and raids are being conducted in illegal bars and restaurants.

Another factor that the police are wary of is the increased cases of robbery during the Pujas. "From past experience, we are aware robbers are already on the prowl. We appeal to the citizens to be cautious and careful during the festival," said the officer in-charge. He pointed out that robbers could target vulnerable citizens in banks and isolated places.

In fact, police are on a vigil and suspect that a woman in her early thirties is already at work. "There is a lady around 33-34 years old who we suspect is one of the gang members. We will be deploying additional policemen in plain clothes before and during the Puja," said Bhutia.

Police have decided to increase its manpower to put brakes on untoward incidents. Citizens have also been asked to call the helpline numbers 9775943303 and 9733173133 to seek assistance.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-24/kolkata/30197723_1_durga-puja-darjeeling-helpline-numbers