Current status of roads New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling and Kurseong

I understand that the Toy Train is still disrupted between New Jalpaiguri and Kurseong following the landslips during the monsoon in June 2010. I understand that further damage was done in the 2011 monsoon which also affected the Hill Cart Road and that was blocked too.

Is it possible to get from New Jalpaiguri railway station to Kurseong by road? Are there jeeps or buses running?

What is the current up-to-date status please?

Regards

trubmij

After some research elsewhere I have found out the following and can answer my own question:-

The road situation is fluid. For direct travel to Darjeeling go via Mirik. For New Jalpaigiri/Siliguri to Kurseong:
1. The Hill Cart Road is blocked near Tindharia and still will be for some months.
2. The 9 year old Rohini Road is now out of use due to poor surface.
3. The old steep and twisting Pankabari Road is still in use but only for uphill traffic. Best in 4x4/Jeep.
4. The current recommended road is via Mirik.

If anyone can update or add to this please do so.

Regards

trubmij

Thanks a lot..!! its very informative..!! So, there is no way to travel from Kurseong to NJP currently?

I am required to go to Kurseong during mid-Feb. Can someone please update me on:

1. Current status of the road from Siliguri to Kurseong. Which road is to be taken?
2. Is there any share taxi service between Siliguri to Kurseong? and if so, from which Stand it departs from Siliguri and what are the charges per head? When the last service departs from Siliguri?
3. What could be the likely cost of exclusive 4 seater car for journey between Siliguri and Kurseong?

Thanks.

@ asish'da

1. take Hill Cart Road

2. Lots of.......Jeep stand is near Mahananda Bridge........in Feb do not expect share jeep after 7pm........even you can get it from NJP in daylight

3. what time your are asking to hire a car is a matter of fact..........in morning season it'd be 800-1000 bucks

Thanks. Got almost all the answers. Only one minor quarry: what is the charges of share taxi per head basis?

its called the experienced eye..........actually trying to hide my lack of knowledge.

Well! I used share-jeep in this route three years ago.......but all I can say it'd not be more than 100 bucks

Just back from my trip.

Used the 4x4/Jeep from New Jalpaiguri to Kurseong no problems. Both exclusive-use jeeps and shared jeeps available from outside NJP station. Use the pre-pay booth in the car park rather than a tout approaching you. Cost is about 850 Rps for own jeep and 120 for a seat in shared. The latter is uncomfortable, up to 11 passengers in a 4x4.

The normal Hill Cart Road is still blocked but there are alternative routes but these roads are narrow, steep and in places unmade. The road can be congested and it can take longer than expected so allow plenty of time for train connections etc.

Regards to all

Hi....
Great to hear your feedback.... can you please suggest me that the roads are suitable to go darjeeling with my 1.4 yrs baby or not ? actually i've planned it during april first '12..but now i'm getting confused..how much time it may take via mirik ? is that road better than the conventional route to darjeeling from njp ?

I must admit that I would not like to take a child, never mind one so young. Unless you pay for exclusive use of a 4x4 or pay for all the seats on a row in a shared 4x4 then the vehicle may be too crowded. We had up to 12 people in a Sumo. The other problem is that most of these vehicles do not have any seat belts available and I would not take a child unless they were restrained in a safety child seat. As the roads are in poor condition the swaying of the vehicle can be quite violent, another reason for child restraints.
The road we took, which I think did not go via Mirik, was poor compared with the normal Hill Cart Road which was still blocked earlier this month. It will take 4-5 hours Darjeeling to NJP depending on traffic.

Dear Users,

I m planning to visit Darjelling in Early June 2012. I want to know the travel time by taxi from NJP station to Kuresong bec.. My train will reach NJP at 11AM and my Toy train from Kuresong is 1.30PM on the same day.

Pls also provide the taxi fare for four people.

Alos the road condition from NJP to kurseong.

Thanks in advance.

regards

Mayur

Moderator Note:

Refrain from using SMS language. Use 'please' instead of 'pls. Thank you.

it'll take around 4hrs.........road condi almost ok.........Rs 150/h as sharing basis

If you hire an exclusive cab, it would take max. 2-1/2 hours from NJP to Kurseong. Please note that the main connecting road from Siliguri to Kurseong and Darjeeling is closed now, the entire traffic is being diverted through an alternative road called "Pankhabari Road". Therefore, if the traffic is unusually heavy, it may take some more time. It will therefore be tight for you. Moreover, if your train is delayed, then you are in real problem! A small car from NJP to Kurseong would cost appox around 1000/- or so.

@ PK

The time mentioned by you looks like time taken from NJP to Darjeeling. Isn't it? I have just the other day traveled from Siliguri to Kurseong and it took me only 2 hours or so.

@ asishdas

Thanks Asish'da, think it'd be better to mention its via pankhabari in my post above ......... But i'm disagree with the traveling time you mentioned

Thx Ashish das and Pkanta for your valuable inputs.

But i m now more confused for the travel time from "NJP railway station to Kuresong". Bec both have you mentioned 2.5 hrs to 4.5 hrs of time.

Please provide me more clear ideas as i have only 2.5 hrs to catch toy train.

Thanks and regards

Mayur