Darjeeling MP writes to Centre seeking complete restoration of NH10 with Sikkim

The NH-10 was badly affected by the recent devastating floods in Sikkim owing to a glacial lake outburst on October 4.

BJP MP from Darjeeling, Raju Bista has sought the urgent intervention of Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Nitin Gadkari for the repair of National Highway 10, which connects Darjeeling and Kalimpong in West Bengal with the Himalayan state of Sikkim.
On October 4, the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in South Lhonak in Sikkim had caused widespread damage to the NH-10, as gushing waters of the Teesta river washed away portions of the lifeline at several places.
In his letter to Nitin Gadkari, the MP alleged that there was massive delay in the repair of the highway. MP Raju Bista apprised the Union Minister that the road connectivity through the highway could be restored partially despite over 45 days passing by since the disaster hit.
Bista in his letter said, “While smaller vehicles are able to pass, bigger vehicles such as trucks and buses are unable to pass. This has caused massive surge in the price of food, fuel and other essentials in our border regions. Moreover, because of the delay in the repair of the National Highway the truck drivers have been forced to drive on narrow mountain roads, putting their lives to risk, as the cases of accidents soar due to narrow roads.”
On October 21, authorities had opened the damaged National Highway 10 for one-way movement of four-wheelers.
After that the NH-10, considered to the lifeline for the state, was opened for 12 hours from 6 am to drive between Sikkim’s capital Gangtok and Siliguri in West Bengal.

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