Darjeeling stalls razed after 40 years

Times Of India
DARJEELING: Shop owners on Nehru Road below the Chowrasta, a popular market place in Darjeeling, started dismantling their stalls from Monday to make way for a parking lot to be built by a private firm. Initially, 42 shop owners were expected to take a hit by the construction of the parking lot, but it is learnt that all the 182 stall owners have now decided to vacate the area. Stall owners have taken the initiative of the Darjeeling Municipality directing them to remove the illegal shops with a pinch of salt citing they had been doing business since 1971 when the Hills were warming up to the consistent tourist flow.

"We have been doing business here since the Seventies. All of us (stall owners) sustain our families by selling goods. How will we survive without our shops now?" said Pema Lhamu Sherpa, who sells shawls and winter garments on the stretch just below the place where the parking lot is expected to come up. The parking lot will be built by Planter's Club on its own premises that overlooks several stalls. All though in the eye of the storm, the club officials have refused to comment on the issue. The municipality has asked the stall owners, who have built their structures over the drains, to remove their shops. Though the dismantling drive was expected to start from August 13, it was stalled due to resistance from the shop owners.

The municipality has assured to provide alternative spot to the owners to put up their stalls. On Monday, the stall owners started dismantling their shops. Initially, 42 shop owners were expected to take a hit by the construction of the parking lot, but it is learnt that all the 182 stall owners have now decided to vacate. The shops are a huge draw with the tourists. Shops sell gift items, winter clothing, souvenirs and traditional Nepali dresses. Since the stalls are located along the stretch from Keventer's to Chowrasta, it is convenient for the owners to sell their goods without hassles. "We have been told that we will be relocated to some place of which we are not aware. It will be very difficult to showcase our goods and sell if we are given a vague location," said a stall owner.

Several meetings have been held between the district administration, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and GJM chief Bimal Gurung to settle the issue. "The stall owners had agreed to vacate initially but don't know what happened. We know that the issue of livelihood is there. But we have plans to rehabilitate them too," said a senior official on conditions of anonymity. In fact, municipality officials and the administration held a meeting on Monday with the GTA chief executive followed by another round later in the evening. However, all the party, vis-a-vis the stall owners, the municipality, the district administration and the GTA officials refused to speak on the issue.