A 55-year-old tourist from Kolkata, Ashish Bhattacharjee, died of respiratory distress in the early hours of Wednesday while returning from Sandakphu. The incident has reignited discussions about the necessity of mandatory health check-ups for tourists venturing to high altitudes.
Bhattacharjee, a resident of 41A Ramesh Mitra Road, Bhawanipur, Kolkata, had travelled to Sandakphu with his family on November 19. On their way back, they stayed at a homestay in Dhotrey, a picturesque hamlet in the buffer zone of the Singalila National Park, situated at an altitude of 8,550 feet and 44 kilometres from Darjeeling.
“In the wee hours of Wednesday, he complained of respiratory problems and was rushed to the Sukhia Block Primary Health Centre. There he was declared brought dead,” said Rajesh Chauhan, Deputy Chairman, of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).
Following the post-mortem conducted at Darjeeling Sadar Hospital, Bhattacharjee’s body was handed over to his family. “We made all necessary arrangements for the transportation of the body to Siliguri,” Chauhan added.
This tragic incident comes despite prior discussions about implementing health safety measures for tourists visiting Sandakphu. On September 6, 2024, the Darjeeling district administration held meetings with multiple stakeholders, including the GTA, police, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and tourism officials. They proposed mandatory health check-ups at Maneybhanjyang, the gateway to Sandakphu, along with health advisories for visitors.
Sandakphu, perched at an altitude of 3,636 meters, is the highest point in West Bengal and a popular trekking destination. The region’s high altitude and sudden temperature changes pose significant risks, especially for tourists arriving from sea-level cities without proper acclimatisation.
