The National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has announced temporary restrictions on the movement of heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) along National Highway 10, which connects Sevoke in West Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim. This decision is prompted by safety concerns following several days of heavy rain and multiple landslides. The restrictions will begin at midnight on October 7 and will last for four weeks or until further notice.
Under the new directive from NHIDCL’s Project Monitoring Unit in Siliguri, heavy commercial vehicles will only be permitted on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 12 AM to 11:59 PM. Passenger buses will continue to operate without interruption during this period.
The move comes as torrential rains have severely affected several sub-Himalayan districts, including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar. These weather conditions have resulted in landslides, flooding, and overflowing rivers, which have already claimed at least 28 lives. The unstable road conditions along the NH-10 corridor, critical for transporting goods to and from Sikkim, have raised alarm among officials.
The NHIDCL emphasized that these restrictions are crucial “to ensure the safety of commuters and prevent further deterioration of the road infrastructure.” District administrations have been instructed to manage traffic regulation and facilitate smooth vehicular movement during the restricted times.
The directive has been disseminated to senior officials from various organizations, including the Border Roads Organisation, IRCON, NHPC, West Bengal PWD, and police departments across Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Namchi, Pakyong, and Gangtok for enforcement and monitoring.
NH-10 is Sikkim’s main highway, linking the landlocked state to the rest of India. This latest order highlights the region’s increasing vulnerability to climate-related weather extremes, which have frequently disrupted transportation and caused significant infrastructure damage in recent years.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/sikkim/story/sikkim-heavy-vehicle-movement-on-nh-10-between-sevoke-and-rangpo-restricted-amid-landslide-threats-1287317-2025-10-07?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-10-07 08:53:00
