Chaos Erupts at Darjeeling Bus Terminus as Voters Rush Home Amid Deletion Fears
On the eve of the phase 1 polls, the road to the Hills descended into chaos at the Tenzing Norgay Bus Terminus in Darjeeling. Fears over the deletion of nearly 40,000 Gorkha voters during the SIR process drove people to return home at any cost, creating a tense and volatile situation.
Bus Shortage and Soaring Fares Trigger Tension
A crippling bus shortage, combined with soaring fares and swelling crowds, led to significant tension and vandalism. What should have been a routine 80-kilometer journey from Siliguri to Darjeeling turned into a race against time for thousands of anxious voters. Many individuals, uncertain about their names on the electoral roll, rushed back from across the country to ensure they could vote. However, they found themselves stranded for hours as buses disappeared from regular service.
As tempers flared, sections of the crowd vandalised ticket counters and damaged computers belonging to the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC). The situation escalated rapidly, prompting the deployment of central forces and senior police officials to restore order. Although tensions eased later in the day, normal services have yet to fully resume.
Official Explanations and Passenger Struggles
Officials attributed the disruption to the large-scale requisitioning of buses by the Election Commission, which has severely impacted connectivity across North Bengal, including areas like Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and the Darjeeling hills. Samir Sarkar, the NBSTC in-charge, stated, "This has led to long waiting hours for passengers."
Passengers reported that private vehicles began charging between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 per seat—far above the normal rates. Drivers cited road closures and diversions via Mirik as reasons for the fare hikes. Utpal Mondal, one of those waiting in a long queue, expressed his frustration: "I came from another state, spending extra on airfare just to vote. Now I don't know if I'll make it home."
Sanjeev Chettri, who traveled from Bengaluru, added, "I didn't want to miss voting, but getting a vehicle from Siliguri became a struggle. The government should have arranged transport support to help voters in this critical time."
Underlying Fears and Transporters' Defense
The rush was fueled by widespread fears among the Gorkha community that their names had been deleted from the electoral rolls. Kamlesh Rai, a resident of Ghum who works in Kolkata, explained, "Many believe names have been deleted. So, out of fear, many are rushing back to vote, hoping to secure their democratic rights."
Transporters defended the fare hikes, citing longer routes, increased fuel costs, and traffic curbs as justifications. However, authorities have taken note of the situation. Milton Das, the Darjeeling RTO, said, "We will send a team to verify the situation and take appropriate action. No formal complaint has been received yet, but we are monitoring developments closely."
The incident highlights the critical challenges faced by voters in remote regions during elections, emphasizing the need for better logistical planning and support to ensure smooth democratic processes.
