{"id":3488,"date":"2024-11-22T17:10:17","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T11:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecord.in\/?p=3488"},"modified":"2024-11-22T17:10:24","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T11:40:24","slug":"kolkata-tourist-dies-of-respiratory-distress-during-sandakphu-trek-health-guidelines-to-be-enforced","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecord.in\/?p=3488","title":{"rendered":"Kolkata Tourist Dies of Respiratory Distress During Sandakphu Trek; Health Guidelines to Be Enforced"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A 55-year-old tourist from Kolkata<\/a>, Ashish Bhattacharjee<\/a>, died of respiratory distress in the early hours of Wednesday while returning from Sandakphu<\/a>. The incident has reignited discussions about the necessity of mandatory health check-ups for tourists<\/a> venturing to high altitudes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bhattacharjee, a resident of 41A Ramesh Mitra Road<\/a>, Bhawanipur, Kolkata, had travelled <\/a>to Sandakphu<\/a> 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<\/a>, situated at an altitude of 8,550 feet and 44 kilometres from Darjeeling<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the wee hours of Wednesday, he complained of respiratory<\/a> problems and was rushed to the Sukhia<\/a> Block Primary Health Centre. There he was declared brought dead,\u201d said Rajesh Chauhan<\/a>, Deputy Chairman, of Gorkhaland<\/a> Territorial Administration<\/a> (GTA<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the post-mortem conducted at Darjeeling Sadar Hospital<\/a>, Bhattacharjee\u2019s body was handed over to his family. \u201cWe made all necessary arrangements for the transportation of the body to Siliguri,\u201d Chauhan<\/a> added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This tragic incident comes despite prior discussions about implementing health safety measures for tourists<\/a> visiting Sandakphu<\/a>. On September 6, 2024, the Darjeeling district<\/a> administration held meetings with multiple stakeholders, including the GTA, police, Sashastra Seema Bal<\/a> (SSB<\/a>), and tourism officials. They proposed mandatory health check-ups at Maneybhanjyang, the gateway to Sandakphu<\/a>, along with health advisories for visitors.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sandakphu<\/a>, perched at an altitude of 3,636 meters, is the highest point in West Bengal<\/a> and a popular trekking destination. The region\u2019s high altitude and sudden temperature <\/a>changes pose significant risks, especially for tourists arriving from sea-level cities without proper acclimatisation.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"