Local drivers tensed about not getting any tourists

 MUKESH SHARMA KALIMPONG, May 22: Though it is the peak tourist season in Kalimpong, still tourists are hardly to be seen in the town. This has become a subject to worry not only to the Tourism Departments and hoteliers, but it has also created much hue and cry amidst the drivers. Regarding the same a meeting was held by the drivers of Kalimpong during which the representatives of the Main Line Taxi Drivers Welfare Association, Kalimpong Motor Transport Syndicate and Kalimpong- Gangtok All Highway Taxi Owner, Driver Welfare Association were present. The main issue faced by the drivers of Kalimpong is that, though the tourists are visiting the town but the process of bringing them in Kalimpong and taking them to the main tourist spots are being done by the vehicles outside Kalimpong. This issue has proved to be of main concern for the local drivers as it has cut short their daily earnings. They whined that the Administration is also not at all concerned about their issue. Recommending that the outside vehicles should drop the tourists at the Kalimpong Stand and then the local vehicles shall do the needful of taking them around, they said that to expect the Administration to take any step regarding the same seems like an illusion. Hence, they appealed the Administration and its higher officials to take some necessary steps. They also requested to the drivers of the outside vehicles to understand the sentiments of the local drivers and drop them to the Kalimpong Stand. If the local vehicles are allowed to take the tourists on sightseeing then the drivers can provide much information about the tourist spots too, this in a way helps to increase the number of tourists in Kalimpong.