Portion of Sikkim’s Lifeline NH-10 Handed Over to NHIDCL, LS MP Indra Hang Subba Welcomes Move
First Published: 5th November, 2024 19:23 IST
This shift follows a long-standing demand from the Sikkim government, led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang.
After months of inconvenience and trouble, a portion of Sikkim’s lifeline, National Highway 10 (NH-10), connecting Sevoke in West Bengal to Rangpo in Sikkim, has been handed over to the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) today for better management and upkeep.
This shift follows a long-standing demand from the Sikkim government, led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, and is seen as a major step forward for the state’s infrastructure development.
Until now, NH-10, particularly the 52 km stretch between Sevoke and Rangpo, a vital route for Sikkim, was managed by the West Bengal Public Works Department (PWD).
The handing over to NHIDCL is expected to improve road maintenance, enhance connectivity, and ensure timely repairs and expansion of the highway.
Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim, Indra Hang Subba, welcomed the move and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for fulfilling this long-standing demand.
“NH 10 is the lifeline of Sikkim, a border State and one of the most tourist-visited States of the nation. With the entire highway now coming under NHIDCL, the people of Sikkim will certainly benefit and be assured of timely repairs, maintenance and restoration of the NH 10 under the Central agency. Our tourism sector, which was hampered this season by the highway issues, will greatly benefit from this transfer,” said MP Indra Hang Subba.
However, the MP urged people to remain patient, acknowledging that immediate improvements may take time. “The highway is in a vulnerable condition, prone to frequent closures. We hope the people of Sikkim will be patient as NHIDCL works on strengthening the road’s infrastructure,” Subba concluded.
“We express our strong hopes that the NHIDCL and its officials will repose the faith that the people and government of Sikkim have shown in them regarding NH 10 maintenance. The highway, as everyone knows, is in a vulnerable condition and prone to frequent closures. The NHIDCL will require some time to come into action and I request the people to have some patience and not expect immediate results. With the expertise and resources available to NHIDCL, we are hopeful that NH 10 will soon become more resilient to natural disruptions, ensuring smoother travel for both residents and tourists,” said MP Subba.
MP for Darjeeling, Raju Bista also praised the move, stating, “This is a landmark moment, which will ensure that the people from our Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Sikkim region will benefit due to the central agency NHIDCL taking care of this critical NH-10 infrastructure. With this we can ensure a timely repair, maintenance and expansion of NH-10, which will benefit the local people, students, tourists, trade, and especially our drivers community including taxi drivers, bus drivers and truck drivers.”
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