Services in Darjeeling

According to the 2011 census, number of people living within Darjeeling amalgamation is more than 132,016 and out of them, the majority lives in the Darjeeling town itself. Moreover, a huge number of tourists visit Darjeeling every year. Unfortunately, the town’s infrastructure was never meant for such an enormous number of people; hence the utility and services are not always at par with people’s expectation.

Municipality Services in Darjeeling

It however has to be admitted that the Darjeeling Municipality, located on the Laden La Road, is doing its level best to improve the situation. In general, the three most important areas of function for any municipality are health and sanitation, supply of drinking water, maintenance and lighting of roads. Other than that, municipalities also run primary schools; maintain parks, remove encroachment from public places etc. Darjeeling Municipality, though   constraint with funds, has been able to achieve great success in most fields.

Water Supply in Darjeeling:

However, the town faces acute shortage of water, especially during the summer. That is mainly because during such a time, the town not only sees a huge in flush of tourists, but it is also a fact that at that time, Senchal Lake, the main source of drinking water for Darjeeling, goes through a lean period.
Darjeeling Municipality Phone Numbers:

Important Contact Numbers:

Following are phone numbers of some important officials of the municipality; one is welcome to contact them in case of grievances:
Chairman: (0354) 2254406
Vice Chairman: (0354)2252268
Health Officer: (0354)2252437
Water Works: (0354)2254884
M.U.P.L. Engineer: (0354)2252284

Police Services in Darjeeling

Darjeeling has four police stations. While Sadar Police Station is located in Chowk Bazar, the three others are - Daroga Bazar or Sadar Thana Police Station, Gandhi Road Police Station and Jore Bunglow Police Station.  Darjeeling Police Control Room is however, located at Sukiapokhri on Darjeeling Main Road.

Health Services in Darjeeling

Darjeeling, in spite of its small size, has adequate number of hospitals run both by the governmental agencies and private parties. Among them, District Hospital, located on the Hill Cart Road, is run by the government while DDMA Hospital, located on Nehru Road, is a private hospital.  Other than these, Yuma Nursing Home And Diagnostic Centre, Mariam Nursing Home, Jeet Eye Clinic, Baba Ram Dev Patanjalin Arogya Kendro, Tibetan Medical Clinic, Himalayan Pathological Centre are few other establishments, which are run by private parties. Click here to read more about Health in Darjeeling.

Banking Services in Darjeeling

In spite of its small size, quite a few reputed banks have opened their branches in Darjeeling. Among them:

• The State Bank of India, Axis Bank Ltd, HDFC Bank Ltd and Corporation Bank are located on the Laden La Road.
  
  
• Bank Of Baroda, UCO Bank and Indian Bank are located on the Robertson Road.
  
  
• Bank of India and Allahabad Bank are located on H. D. Lama Road.
  
  
• Vijaya Bank is located on Gandhi Road.
  
  
• Union Bank is located in Darjeeling Bazar.
  

ATM Centers in Darjeeling

Moreover, all major banks have ATM centres located conveniently. For instances, ICICI Bank, which does not have any direct branch in Darjeeling is represented by two ATM centres, one in Laden La Road and the other at North Point.

Gas Agencies in Darjeeling

Darjeeling also has adequate number of gas connection agency. Neelam Gas Agency, located at Kuchaary Road and Grihalaksmi located on R.N. Sinha Road are authorized distributors of Indane Gas. Raksha Gas Agency located at 62; R. N. Sinha Road is a distributer of Bharat Gas.

Postal Services in Darjeeling

In spite of its size, Darjeeling town is covered by multiple post offices. While the Head Post Office is located in Daroga Bazar in the heart of the city, subsidiary post offices are located in Hill Cart Road, Chowk Bazar,   Lebong Cart Road etc.

Darjeeling is also covered by major courier services in the country. While DTDC Courier and Cargo Services are located on the Chowrasta Road, Blue Dart is located on Gandhi Road.

Fire Services in Darjeeling

Darjeeling Fire Station is located near Dali Gomba Temple. It offers round the clock services. In case of emergency, one can call at the following numbers:
Fire Station: (0354) 2252121 and (0354) 2259333
OC, Fire Brigade: (0354) 2344411

Telecom Services in Darjeeling

BSLN is still the most popular service provider in Darjeeling. However, presence of other service providers such as Airtel, Vodophone, Reliance and Tata is also noteworthy. They not only provide instant connectivity through landlines and mobile network, but also broadband services for the internet users.

Media in Darjeeling

Darjeeling is covered by most national news papers such as the Times Of India as well as regional news papers such as The Telegraph, Ananda Bazaar Patrika etc. In addition to that, there are Nepali newspapers such as the Himalayan Darpan, which focuses both on national and local issues. The town is also covered by all important TV channels. All India Radio Darjeeling is available at 100.2 MHZ.

Public Transport in Darjeeling

Public transport system is very strong in Darjeeling. While the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, lovingly referred as the Toy Train, connects Darjeeling with New Jalpaiguri in the plains, most of the load is borne by the road transport system. Darjeeling is connected by road to various places such as Siliguri, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Ganktok, Mirik, Manibhanjang, Bijanbari etc through roads.