NH-10 IN VULNERABLE CONDITION

HT, 29 Nov 2016, SILIGURI: At a time when the annual and customary hue and cry demanding an alternative to National Highway 10 has come to an end, only to be echoed next monsoon, a Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader from Kalimpong has suggested alternative alignment to the landslide prone but strategically important National Highway.

Kamal Sharma, GJM president of GTA’s number 42 constituency, has proposed alternative alignment to the 115 km road connecting Sikkim and Kalimpong with the rest of the country.

A large stretch of the road that passes through places like Rangpo in Sikkim, Melli, Teesta, Rambi, Kalijhora and Sevoke in West Bengal is vulnerable to landslides and often remain closed during monsoon thus creating perennial problems to Sikkim and Kalimpong.

At times, the road remains closed for days putting the security of the country at risk. The road is a lifeline to Sikkim and for the Indian army guarding the SinoIndian borders at higher altitude.

Sharma said if an alternative route from Rangpo via Mansong, 12th Mile, Sinji, Panbu and Kalijhora is widened it will prove to be an all-weather alternative road. This proposed route will bypass landslide zones and will cause least damage to the forest. Besides, the route will help in empowering local people who are basically farmers, said Sharma.

The setting up of two hydro power projects on Teesta River by National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) at Rambi and Kalijhora has already caused immense damage to the NH 10.

“Unless an alternative is found, people will suffer more particularly during monsoon,” said Sharma. “I am preparing a blueprint of the proposal and will submit the same to SS Ahluwalia, the local MP and Union minister of state for agriculture and parliamentary affairs.”

Ajay Singh, executive engineer of PWD division IX, said ,“A survey on the vulnerable zones of the NH 10 has started.”

Of the 115 km road, the 52 km long stretch — from Coronation Bridge near Sevok to Rangpo — falls in Bengal and Bengal PWD is its custodian. The stretch from Rangpo to Gangtok is maintained by Border Roads Organisation.