Terai Dooars Bandh Effect on Sikkim

There's been an indefinite bandh called by some political organizations since Monday ( 23rd April,2012 ) and there's been reported arson and violence as well.
Please share any updates/views about effect of this Bandh on Sikkim in this thread especially going to Gangtok from New Jalpaiguri and returning back from Gangtok to Jalpaiguri

Indefinite bandh to resume from April 27, 2012
See http://www.telegraphindia.com/112042...p#.T5dzR979OWA

Thanks for the update, buddy. I'll be reaching NJP in the morning of 27th. Keeping fingers crossed

@ajaytk:

Best wishes to you for a successful trip. what you decided lastly? West to Kaluk/Uttare/Bermiok OR East to Dzuluk/Sillary/Reshi region? Already started waiting for a trip report with lots of photographs after you return...

We too plan to reach NJP on 28th morning and from there go to gangtok via road.
Anyone in that area now? Do you know if the road to sikkim will be closed?

no.........but better to escape Bengal and enter Sikkim within 12 noon

I can not understand , why they organise bandhs during peak tourist season ? Darjeeling is such a beautiful place and Bandh is a regular feature in this area, I have been to Darjeeling when I was a small kid during 1970 living in Purnea and still can not forget clouds ( most probably it was fog ) entering our car and that toy train and Ghoom, Kurseon etc.

Now whenever I make a program of going to Darjeeling with my kids , I always get a news that there is a Bandh and cancel our program .

Thanks

Alok

Because of this kind of unreliability, most hotels have tough cancellation policies. Better to avoid prior bookings for Sikkim.

Thanks for the wishes! Original plan was/is NJP->Gangtok->North Sikkim->Pelling->Uttarey->Kaluk->IXB. If roads to the North are blocked i will look for a 2-day trip to Zuluk as alternative and go to Pelling from there. If I'm stuck in NJP tomorrow morning I'll have to look for yet another alternative!

Loving the twists in the tale already

All the best ajaytk.

Hmmm... it sounds lots of twist and turns yet to be unfolded after your return!! Though my good wishes is always with you so that you can cover successfully your pre-determined itinerary

One opinion if it's not still too late. Take a final call over N.Sikkim road clearance before hand and start from eastern part if it's really not reachable. Then head towards Gangtok as per your plan and then towards west. Otherwise either you have to visit Gangtok twice or have to cover a long distance if you head towards western part from Dzuluk or might spend one night in between from Dzuluk to any place of western part. I am not so familiar with this stretch, but it's my idea I am expressing in favor of you...

hope it help....

I have/had a plan to reach NJP on 28th Morning via Darjeeling Mail.Then proceed to Lava, stay there for two days. Then Rishyap for one day and Kalimpong for last two. Now I'm really apprehensive about making the trip at all as I am going with my family. Unfortunately all Hotels have been fully paid well before and they are not in a mood of refund. My biggest fear is becoming either being left stranded at NJP station with no option to move to Lava or not getting any vehicle to reach NJP from Kalimpong on the day of return. Just keeping my fingers crossed and waiting for the next dictat from GJM. Moving to Sikkim seems not an option as I then have to fore go all hotel payments.

Keep watching the bengali news channel 24Ghanta. Last I heard in the afternoon news that there are chances that Bandh may not happen as the GJM and ABAVP are kind of softening. Today they are having a meeting and things will be clear by evening or night.

Thanks for the update raks35!!!!Seems there's a ray of light at the end of the tunnel..

these are some of the phone no. of Bengali News Channel. You may call them up and get the latest status on the outcome of the meeting among the political groups
I got this from http://www.calcuttaweb.com/tvradio.shtml
Not sure how authentic they are

Akash Bangla 126-A, Sarat Bose Road 700026 24764025
STAR Ananda Gariahat Mall, 13, Zamir Lane 700019 44010302
STAR Jalsa 369/4, Avishar Complex, Purbachal Kalitala Road, E M Bypass, Haltu 700078
ATN Bangla 3B, Camac Street 700016 22467554
TARA TV GN 34/2, Second Floor, Salt Lake Electronics Complex, Sector V, Salt Lake 700091 40104900
ETV Bangla P-46, Hide Road Extension, Brace Bridge 700088 24391066
Kolkata TV 119 Park Street 700016 22276305
Zee Bangla 3rd Floor, 3-B, Camac Street 700016 22467554
24 Ghanta Poddar Court (2nd Fl) 18, Rabindra Sarani 700001 2227 5458 /5459
Mahua Bangla 6th Floor, Infinity Benchmark, Plot No.G-1,Block EP & GP, Sec V,Salt Lake City 700091 40135400
Sony Aath 404A & 404B, Jasmine Towers, 31, Shakespeare Sarani 700017