Darjeeling’s bonding with Land Rovers: 75 years and going strong – Times of India

SILIGURI: Brought to Darjeeling in the Fifties by British tea planters, the trusty Land Rover, now part of Darjeeling’s iconic heritage, completes its 75th year in the region. The Hills are set to celebrate this at Mane Bhanjang this year.

There are 33 Land Rovers plying in the area, including Land Rovers of 1954 starting from the Series I to Series II A.
Treasurer and coordinator of Singalila Land Rovers’ Association (SLRA), Anil Tamang, said, “The vehicle arrived in the Himalayan region in the 1940s and 1950s. They were brought to British-owned tea plantation in the waning days of colonial influence in India. Thus, many of them are early series.”
Sources said these cars were built of Birmabright, a lightweight rustproof alloy of aluminium and magnesium. This material was used because of the post-war shortage of steel, while there was a plentiful supply of aircraft aluminium.
SLRA president Chandan Pradhan said, “We’re planning a big celebration for 75 years of the Land Rover. People from the UK have shown interest. Land Rovers are the only vehicles in the region in major commercial use and the only mode of transport to high altitude spots like Sandakphu and Phalut. These vehicles are able to carry goods weighing as much as 600 kgs. In April 2017, people from England visited Mane Bhanjang to celebrate 70 years of the Land Rover,” said Pradhan.
Asked about Land Rovers being used till date, Tamang said the use of Land Rovers has now become a tradition. “Initially, the road condition from Mane Bhanjang was bad and only Land Rovers could take goods and building materials to Sandakphu. The roads had sharp turns and only Land Rovers could be used as a mode of transportation. But, roads have become motorable and other vehicles can also ply. But Rovers are iconic and hence we are not doing away with the workhorses,” he said.
Ex-president of Singalila Land Rovers’ Owner Association, Passang Tamang, who owns two Series I, said: “I have been riding for 48 years. Though roads are now motorable, no vehicle can replace Rovers. Rovers are also pocket-friendly in terms of maintenance,” said 68-year-old Tamang .
The maximum maintenance cost of a Land Rover is Rs 5,000 and the minimum is Rs 1,500, he added.