Gangtok Traffic Police step up action as CM Tamang pushes for stronger traffic management and environmental responsibility

The Gangtok Traffic Police have intensified their efforts to maintain discipline on the roads with recent enforcement drives against unauthorized parking and traffic violations. These local actions come at a time when the state government, under Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, has announced several key reforms aimed at improving traffic management, enhancing police efficiency, and promoting environmental awareness.

In two major enforcement drives conducted recently, the Gangtok Traffic Police penalized several vehicle owners for illegal parking in high-traffic areas. On July 7, officers cracked down on unauthorized parking along the Swastik-Bojoghari Highway, a stretch that had become increasingly congested during peak hours. Officials said the illegal parking was creating severe traffic jams and putting pedestrian safety at risk. Several violators were warned, and the police urged all motorists to stick to designated parking zones to avoid future penalties.

A few days later, on July 11, another round of enforcement was carried out in the DPH area following public complaints. In this operation, 28 vehicles and two-wheelers were challaned for parking in no-parking zones. The vehicle owners were cautioned and clearly told that repeat offences would lead to heavier fines as per traffic regulations.

These enforcement efforts reflect the growing need to address traffic issues in Gangtok, which has seen a steady rise in vehicle numbers and shrinking road space. However, the local police action is only part of a much larger picture — one that the state government is actively shaping through policy and funding.

On March 11, 2025, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang made a significant announcement regarding traffic and policing reforms. He introduced two new funding initiatives: the Special Investigation Fund and the Special Traffic Management Fund. While the exact implementation plans have not been made public, the Special Traffic Management Fund is expected to directly support efforts like the recent crackdown on unauthorized parking, infrastructure improvements, and better field-level operations by the traffic police.

This announcement was made during a high-profile ceremony where 13 new fire tenders were flagged off, funded through a combination of state and national resources, including the NDRF, SDRF, and the 15th Finance Commission. CM Tamang stressed the need for a proactive and well-equipped police force and called on senior officers to actively participate in field duties — an approach that could lead to better law enforcement across the board, including traffic regulation.

In addition to infrastructure and traffic discipline, the Chief Minister has also shown strong commitment to environmental causes. On July 7, 2024, the state observed the annual ‘A Day for Mother Earth’ initiative — a campaign started by Tamang in 2019. As part of this year's observance, all vehicular movement across the state was halted for seven minutes (11:00 AM to 11:07 AM) to raise awareness about climate change and global warming.

The traffic police were given the responsibility to ensure full compliance with this vehicle stoppage, excluding emergency services. Their active participation helped the initiative run smoothly, drawing praise from various quarters. This unique campaign underscored the growing role of traffic police not just in law enforcement, but also in community and environmental outreach.

Meanwhile, the government has also taken bold steps on vehicle policy, such as the controversial hike in vehicle taxes announced on September 17, 2024. Effective from October 1, the new tax rates have faced strong opposition from political rivals, including the Citizen Action Party (CAP) and BJP, who demanded that the policy be rolled back. However, CM Tamang stood firm, defending the move as necessary for the state’s development and comparing the opposition's threats to "a local team challenging an international football side."