Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government is taking all possible steps to ensure ‘safe return’ of the tourists from the State who are now stranded at Darjeeling hills, informed Tourism Minister Ashok Panda here on Friday.
Sources said, over 45,000 tourists including scores from Odisha were left stranded at Darjeeling following a 12-hour bandh called by Gorkha Janmukti Yuva Morcha
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Panda informed to have spoken with West Bengal Tourism Minister who has assured of taking steps for secure and smooth homecoming of the tourists.
“As per the discussion, provision of three buses for tourists from Darjeeling has been made to Siliguri and Kolkata and all steps are being taken for their safe return,” said Panda.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has also sought the intervention of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in facilitating the safe return of the Odia tourists stranded due to the unrest.
"Concerned for Odia families reportedly stranded in Darjeeling unrest. Request HMO India and Mamata Banerjee to intervene & arrange safe return," tweeted the Chief Minister.