Stakeholders of the tourism industry have requested election officials to see that enough taxis are left for tourists to travel in north Bengal while requisitioning commercial vehicles for polling-related jobs.

The tour operators wrote to the chief electoral officer (CEO) in Bengal and the district magistrates of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar to the effect.

The authorities have started requisitioning commercial vehicles to carry polling officials to the booths and for ancillary tasks on the voting day.

“We have requested the CEO and four district magistrates to maintain a balance so that adequate vehicles are left for tourists who will travel in the hills or the Dooars during the elections. We understand that vehicles are required for election-related tasks but indiscriminate requisitioning of vehicles will inconvenience tourists,” said Samrat Sanyal, the general secretary of the Himalayan Hospitality & Tourism Development Network (HHTDN), an apex body of people associated with the tourism sector.

He said the tourism industry had suffered losses in the wake of the flash flood on the Teesta on October 4 last year. Many people who had planned trips to Kalimpong and Sikkim cancelled their trips following the disaster, said Sanyal.

“With the onset of the summer tourism season, the bookings have started going up and the inflow of tourists has started. We are expecting a good season which can help us recoup last year's losses. if there is a shortage of vehicles for tourists during the forthcoming season, it would be another challenge for the industry,” said the veteran in the tourism industry.

Polling will be held in the Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar Lok Sabha segments on April 19. The Darjeeling hills will go to the polls on April 26.

On the other hand, tourists will start thronging the region on April 15 and the inflow will continue till June 15.

Around 5,000 vehicles, mostly SUVs and sedans, ferry tourists to different destinations in the hills and the Dooars for sightseeing.

“Many tourists have already booked accommodations and finalised their itineraries. If a large chunk of vehicles is withdrawn for election purposes, tourists will face inconveniences,” said a tour operator in Siliguri.

An official of the Bengal tourism department said: “Although elections are announced, hundreds of tourists are pouring in every day. We hope the season will give good business to the sector in north Bengal."