Sikkim’s main route, National Highway 10, is temporarily closed for repairs from October 13 to 16, as announced by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). This closure affects vehicle movement along the Sevoke stretch in West Bengal up to Rangpo in Sikkim, disrupting essential travel between the two regions.
The section in question, particularly around the 38-kilometer mark from Sevoke, has sunk nearly two meters, significantly hampering traffic flow. Moreover, nearby stretches at the 29th and 27th Mile have been plagued by repeated landslides and road collapses, resulting in severe traffic disruptions, especially during the recent Dasain festival.
With NH-10 closed, travelers and residents must now use an alternative route through Munsung via Lava-Gorubathan to reach the Coronation Bridge, the only remaining connection to Siliguri for those in Sikkim and North Bengal.
Key parts of NH-10 on the West Bengal side have been vulnerable to recurring landslides since the glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) of 2023, which has exacerbated the situation further.
Prakash Tamang, a contractor with NHIDCL, reported ongoing struggles to repair the damaged section. “We have tried multiple times to fix the road, but our efforts have not succeeded. We were earlier advised to start cutting work, but our requests for permission were denied. Now that we have the go-ahead, we expect to complete the necessary work in three to four days. The road has sunk two to three meters and requires proper leveling and riverbank protection. Without these measures, the problem is likely to reoccur,” Tamang explained.
Local businesses are also feeling the impact. Arun Kumar, a restaurant owner along the highway, shared his frustrations about persistent road damage affecting his livelihood. “Our business has suffered tremendously. October to January is usually our peak season, but this year it has come to a standstill. Since 2023, we’ve faced continuous losses due to roadblocks and collapses. Supplies from Siliguri have also become expensive, forcing us to purchase at nearly double the local rates. Almost every shop here is experiencing similar issues,” Kumar noted.
Looking ahead, the upcoming winter months may provide drier weather conducive to more frequent repairs. However, this season also attracts tourists, making ongoing road closures and poor infrastructure a potential threat to tourism in both Sikkim and North Bengal.
Original Source: https://www.sikkimexpress.com/news-details/nh-10-remains-shut-until-oct-16-for-repairs
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date:
