The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has decided to dismantle an under-construction pavilion at Tiger Hill after spending ₹2 crore and build a new structure.

The pavilion meant for viewing the sunrise was sanctioned by the GTA under Bimal Gurung in 2014.

Sources said the project cost was pegged at ₹3.73 crore. With the construction firm failing to complete the project, the contract was terminated by the GTA.

“The GTA terminated the contract by paying the agency that undertook the work. A payment of around ₹2 crore was made by the GTA to the contractors,” said a source.

Norden Sherpa, GTA Sabha member in charge of tourism, said the hill body had found defects with the construction done during the earlier tenure of
the GTA.

“The sunrise point changes with the season. The location of the present structure is not convenient for viewing sunrise during winter,” said Sherpa.

The GTA’s “expert team” also found that the structure was not very strong.

“The team had their reservations on the strength of the structure in its current state. We cannot afford any mishap at this very important tourist point,” said Sherpa.

According to GTA records, around 1,500-2,300 tourists visit Tiger Hill every morning to watch the sunrise.

“Even the sunset is stunning from Tiger Hill. The new construction will be done to ensure that people can also enjoy the sunset from Tiger Hill,” said Sherpa.

Tiger Hill is situated at an altitude of 8,500 feet and is a major tourist point located around 12km from Darjeeling town.

The GTA also plans to improve amenities for tourists and drivers when the new construction is done.

“We are planning not to use too much concrete at that place. We are thinking of using a prefab. Whatever construction is undertaken will be time-bound,” said Sherpa.

Some tourism stakeholders, however, said the GTA could have modified the existing structure instead of wasting taxpayers’ money.

The GTA tourism department made a presentation before various tourism stakeholders to discuss their new proposal.

“We made a PowerPoint presentation so that the stakeholders could give feedback on the new proposal,” said Sherpa.

Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken cognisance of complaints that the sanctity of Tiger Hill, which also falls under Senchel Wildlife Sanctuary in Darjeeling, is being violated.

Subash Datta, a green activist from Howrah, had raised the issue of concretisation of Tiger Hill.