A 28-year-old woman from Calcutta died during a trip to Sandakphu, the highest point in Bengal located at 11,930 feet above sea level, on Wednesday.
The death of Ankita Bose, the third such casualty since May this year, has raised questions over the absence of appropriate medical infrastructure in and around the popular destination and the “hurry” of a section of tourists to reach the peak without proper acclimatisation.
Sources said that a four-member team from Dum Dum, including Ankita, reached New Jalpaiguri station on December 1 and reached Maneybhanjan in Sukhiapokhri block of Darjeeling district via cab. The next morning, they headed for Sandakphu, 32km away, in a vehicle. They halted in Sandakphu and on December 3 enjoyed the sunrise before descending to Tumling, which is 20km ahead of Sandakphu. Then, the group checked into a trekkers' hut in Tumling to spend the night.
“She was stable then. Suddenly, she lost her balance, fell in the washroom and fainted. We didn't know where to get medical help,” said Abhijit Pal, a member of the group.
Those running the accommodation contacted representatives of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), who contacted the local Land Rovers' association.
“A vehicle was arranged and around 2am (on Wednesday), she was shifted to the block primary health centre in Sukhiapokhri (around 20km away). From there, doctors referred her to the Darjeeling district hospital (another 18km-trip). There, doctors pronounced her dead,” said Rajesh Chouhan, the GTA deputy chairman.
Ankita's body was handed over to the group. “We arranged an ambulance to take them to Calcutta,” Chouhan added.
The death has again led to questions as to why the GTA and the Darjeeling district administration have not developed proper healthcare infrastructure in and around Sandakphu for such emergencies.
“Sandakphu is a popular destination for trekkers and tourists. A health centre with oxygen and other facilities to help people facing breathing problems or high-altitude sickness is the need of the hour. It can save lives,” said Anil Tamang, the coordinator of the Land Rover Owners' Welfare Association.
Every day, around 15 Land Rovers and other SUVs ferry tourists to Sandakphu from Maneybhanjan.
As of now, only two contractual workers have been engaged by the GTA at Sandakphu to provide oxygen support.
Chouhan said they are taking steps so that a health centre in the area comes up. “Most areas belong to the state forest department. The location is very close to the India-Nepal border. So we have to obtain permission from certain quarters. But let me assure you that we are sincere about developing appropriate infrastructure to avoid such mishaps,” he said.
“Soon, we will make it mandatory for all tourists to submit a certificate which says that the person is medically fit to head for Sandakphu,” he added.
Senior tour operators pointed out that with better roads from Maneybhanjan to Sandakphu, many tourists hurry to reach there without acclimatisation. "Trekkers should acclimatise themselves by walking at different elevations. Some tourists, however, skip stopovers and head straight for Sandakphu, causing health hazards,” said Debasish Chakraborty, general secretary, Eastern Himalaya Travel & Tour Operators' Association.
Priti Goyal, the Darjeeling district magistrate, has also issued a detailed health advisory for tourists visiting Sandakphu and adjoining areas.