The ropeway at 27th Mile. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha

Kalimpong, March 3: Residents of more than three villages in this subdivision have to risk their lives on a run-down, manually operated ropeway every time they want to cross the Teesta and stay connected with the rest of the world.

For the past five years, the villagers of Suruk, Samthar and Sangsey and surrounding places have been using this ropeway to cross the river at 27th Mile and reach NH31A. From there, they catch vehicles to come to Kalimpong town, 25km away, or go down to Siliguri, a distance of 40km.

They were better off in the days gone by because at that time they had access to a better ropeway system set up by the British in the 1940s. However, following a fatal mishap in the mid-nineties, the government banned the diesel engine-operated ropeway, forcing people to take a detour of around 80km to reach this subdivisional town.

The new ropeway was set up about five years ago with monetary help from NHPC, which is constructing a hydropower project at 27th Mile. The ropeway is run by a group of local villagers.

“We charge Rs 10 for every ride and the capacity of the ropeway is six passengers at a time. However, the passengers must take the ride at their own risk,” said Biren Maji, an operator.

The subdivisional administration, on its part, pleaded helplessness.

“Closing the ropeway would create communication bottleneck for the villagers. The better solution will be for NHPC to upgrade the existing ropeway system,” said P.T. Sherpa, the subdivisional officer of Kalimpong.

Even to a casual observer, it becomes quite clear that the system needs urgent repairs. The operators admit the same. “Two bearings of the pulley are damaged. The rope is also showing signs of wear and tear. We are not being able to repair them because we don’t have the money,” said Bimal Bhujel, another operator.

The ropeway remains operational from 8am to 4pm and at the end of the day, the operators earn anywhere between Rs 300 and Rs 400.

The local villagers are banking on the construction of a temporary bridge over the river by the NHPC.

When contacted, a senior NHPC official said the power major was committed to constructing the temporary bridge, but the frequent bandhs in the hills were hampering work. “We are still trying to meet the May-end deadline. And, hopefully, if there are no further impediments, the bridge should be in place by then,” he said.

The NHPC eventually plans to construct a permanent bridge on the spot. Only then will the villagers be able to rest in peace.