Kalimpong, June 25: The historic pact, reopening the old trade route to Tibet, has revived hopes for Jelep-la.

Kalimpong, through which the once-flourishing trade route wound it way to Tibet, hopes the Centre will set its sights on opening this pass after its silk route success. Residents believe the opening of the trade route would work wonders for the industry-starved subdivision.

Jelep-la, which was closed in 1962, is the oldest trade route to Tibet.

“The Jelep-la route should be opened. This route, which goes through Kalimpong and even touches East Sikkim, will definitely help in development. Gangtok has progressed but Kalimpong still does not have industries,” said GNLF Kalimpong branch committee president Dawa Pakhrin.

Unlike Nathu-la, Pakhrin said, Jelep-la was an all-season route.

“Even India will benefit if the pass is opened to trade. Snow makes travel on Nathu-la impossible in winter. Jelep-la, on the other hand, will remain open all year round,” he said.

Seventy-year-old Samaresh Jain, who was a trader before the pass was closed, said Kalimpong was the trading hub of the region before 1962.

“Kalimpong’s economy was driven by the pass. People from Tibet would come here to sell musk, silver, gold and wool and buy foodgrains and leather,” he recollected.

“Jelep-la was the only trade route then. Nathu-la was discovered much later. It was sometime in the late fifties. Even though Nathu-la flourished, its older cousin remained the favourite among the traders from Tibet,” he added.

The reason for the preference, Jain said, was because the only resting-place on Nathu-la was Gangtok. Jalep-la, on the other hand, was easier to negotiate and offered a range of places to stop by night.

“Another reason was that the main commodity on sale was wool and Kalimpong, in those days, was the only place which had a wool godown,” he added.

“Kalimpong suffered a major setback when the route was closed in 1962. Most of the residents left in search of better places of trade,” said 64-year-old Jatan Mall, another trader.

“If the Jelep-la route is also opened, it will benefit the people here as the source of income is very limited. New avenues will opened once the pass goes the Nathu-la way,” he added.

“The reopening of Nathu-la will only benefit some cottage industries here. About Rs 7 crore worth of goods are taken to Tibet from Kalimpong every year. Silver handicraft, which are used in puja ceremonies, incense sticks and ornaments for horses are in demand there,” said Surendra Pal, secretary, Kalimpong Chamber of Commerce.

“Earlier, these things were taken to Tibet through Nepal. This was a very costly proposition. It was not only because of the route but also on account of the double-tax we had to pay. We not only had to pay tax to the Indian government but the Nepal government as well,” he added. “Apart from that, the people here will not be benefited much. We hope the Centre decides to open this route also. The people can gain a lot once that is done.”