New Delhi, July 22 (Reporter) : On the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista raised urgent demands under Rule 377, highlighting the growing infrastructure problems in the hills and proposing concrete solutions. He called for an alternative highway to Darjeeling via Balason and the construction of new ropeway connections to tackle rising congestion and improve transportation in the region. In his statement, Bista said that Darjeeling, one of India's most loved tourist destinations, is facing serious challenges due to traffic and overburdened roads. The main route to the town—National Highway 110 (NH-110)—was built during the British era. It was never designed to handle the current volume of traffic. According to Bista, the highway is used by nearly 15,000 vehicles daily, which is more than double its original capacity. This has led to daily traffic jams, especially during school hours, office timings, and tourist seasons, causing trouble for both local residents and tourists. To fix this issue, the MP requested the central government to construct an alternative road from Siliguri to Darjeeling via Balason. He explained that this route would not only help ease pressure on NH-110 but would also connect rural areas like Kurseong, Mirik, Sonada, Rangbull, Dhotrey-Pussumbeng, Sukhia Pokhari, and Pokhrebong valley. "This will help people living in the villages get better access to transportation and will also boost the local economy," Bista said. Besides the new highway, Bista also spoke about the need for ropeway transport in the hilly areas. He proposed that ropeways be built under the Parvatmala scheme, a central government initiative to improve connectivity in mountainous regions. He has asked for ropeways between Ghoom and Darjeeling, Darjeeling and Bijanbari and Delo to Kalimpong, Relli, and Chitrey. These ropeways, he said, will offer a safe, stress-free, and eco-friendly travel option, especially in regions where road travel is difficult. He added that better transport will not only help the local people but also improve the tourist experience, which is very important for the economy of Darjeeling and nearby areas. "With ropeways, people can reach remote areas faster and safer, and tourists will also enjoy the beautiful views of the hills," Bista said. The Darjeeling MP said he was hopeful that the government would respond positively to his proposals. “With proper support from the Centre, we can change the future of Darjeeling's infrastructure. This will bring growth, make travel easier and strengthen the local economy,” he said...////...