CM's visit: NH 10 in bad shape

SNS, Kalimpong, 20 September 2016: Ahead of state chief minister Mamata Banerjee's three day Kalimpong visit that commences on Wednesday, National Highway (NH) 10, the route for CM to travel herein is still in bad shape. Notably, a convoy of President of India Mr Pranab Mukherjee in the month of July fell into a gorge when he along with Miss Banerjee were returning to Siliguri after participating in a cultural programme in Darjeeling organized to mark the birth anniversary of eminent Nepali literature figure Late Bhanu Bhakta.

The 52 km of NH 10 stretch from Coronation Bridge to Rangpo, Sikkim border is in bad shape since past couple of months as a result of torrential rains.

The monsoon this year resulted in caving of road in many spots whereas in many areas landslide has resulted in extensive road damages. 
Thus travelling to and fro on NH10 cannot be deemed safe as almost seven areas are still prone to land¬slide or shooting boulders at large. This year, a Maruti van was damaged claiming two lives after shooting boulder from hills landed upon the vehicle at Swetijhora. Starting from Coronation Bridge, the Kalijhora Hydel Project area NH 1O has caved in at least 8 spots.

It is to be noted here that NH10 has been taken over by the state PWD during this monsoon. Sources say NH10 is in a critical condition as many areas are prone to landslide that no one can predict when the boulders will roll down.

Risking their lives about 5-6 thousand passengers and transport vehicle run to and fro every day on an average through NH 10. The State PWD minister Mr Aroop Biswas reached Kalimpong through the very route this evening. As learnt, NH10 commuters have appealed to the minister to take serious note of the condition of NH10.

Meanwhile, the people belonging to the Bhujel Cultural and Welfare Association will welcome chief minister Mamata Banerjee in Kalimpong in a grand manner tomorrow. They will submit a memorandum to the CM demanding a separate development board for the Bhujel community . Miss Banerjee will come on a four day trip to Siliguri and Kalimpong tomorrow.

'A big gate has been erected along Teesta Bridge on National Highway 10, which connects Kalimpong with Siliguri, to welcome the chief minister tomorrow.

More than 700 people from Darjeeling Hills, Terai and Dooars belonging to the Bhujel community will welcome her there. The people will form human chains from the gate towards the hill town. We have also put up hoardings with 'Welcome Didi' and 'SE WANUNG', which means warm greetings in Bhujel language," said the association general secretary Kumar Khawas.

Khawas said they had planned to submit a a memorandum to the chief minister to press for a separate development board for the upliftment of the community. The population of the community spread across the Hills, Terai and Dooars is around 60,000.

"We will hand over the memorandum to Miss Banerjee as the development board is the need of the hour for the upliftment of the community socially, economically, to preserve our rich culture and tradition. The chief minister had assured us during her previous visit in the region that our demand will be looked into," Mr Khawas added.