WB polls spell boom for tourism in Darjeeling

April 07, 2011, PTI: Darjeeling: The West Bengal Assembly elections and the presence of central police forces have made tourists, both domestic and foreign, flock in droves to the scenic greenery of Darjeeling, giving a much-needed boost to its tourism industry. The hill station, at an altitude of 2,050 metre, was till a few months ago bogged down by frequent strikes and blockades over demands by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha for a separate state of Gorkhaland.

"It is peak season with examinations of students over and lovely weather, but the elections have certainly helped as no political party here is calling a strike now," said a hotel owner on condition of anonymity. It is both due to the strong presence of central forces here to ensure free and fair elections as also the fact that disturbing normal life and affecting livelihoods of the people in the hills can have a bearing on the elections," he said.