Sikkim prepares itself for Darjeeling bandh

Gangtok, Jan 19 (PTI) The Sikkim government has linedup 50 supply trucks to meet any emergencies in thetransportation of essential commodities during the Darjeelingbandh.

While the GJM has exempted Sikkim vehicles plying onNH-31A from the purview of the bandh, private operators ofpassenger and public carriers have been hesitant to plytowards Siliguri.

"The Sikkim Nationalised Transport will be regulatingthe movement of these extra vehicles," transport secretary K TChankapa said today.

The transport department has been meeting the suppliessought by the food and civil supplies department whichrequires more than 50 trucks per week to maintain balance atvarious food godowns in Sikkim.

All the vehicles will ply on the West Bengal side ofNH-31A under police escort in a convoy, officials said. PTICORR NIK