Heavy rains interfere with completion of NH 717A in Kalimpong

YOWAN MOTHAY, EOI, KALIMPONG, 16 JULY 2023 : Incessant heavy rains in the hills of Kalimong have interfered with the completion of National Highway 717A on the stretch between Bagrakote and Lava. 

The four-lane road that will connect the plains of north Bengal with Nathu La Gate is being constructed on a priority basis for the requirement of defence along the India-China border.

During the completion of the road construction work in Nimbong Barbote area, due to incessant rains, water wells have flooded in many places and caused extensive damage.

Almost since the beginning of June, due to heavy rains in the Nimbong Kafer area, the road, as well as the walls on the side of the road, has been damaged.

From Bagrakote to Lava, Nine Miles, a total of three contractors’ companies are operating.

Bhutan Builder would complete carpeting completely in the month of July. But due to torrential rain pouring in day and night, the safety walls such as the walls on the side of the road have collapsed and caused great damage. 

The thick carpeting on the road has also started to flow away due to the excessive rain. Throughout the area where the company is working, its men are struggling to keep the road open by removing the stones and mud that have been washed on to the road surface by the water.

When there is excessive rain, the water level rises and water cannot be controlled through the drain. The road constructed by the company in this way has suffered great damage from the heavy rains as all the security walls have collapsed. Due to the continuous rains, people living in the area are facing a lot of problems going to the market and school. Due to heavy rains, NH 717A has also been extensively damaged by landslides.

The National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation is deploying its men and equipment round the clock to ensure that the road is not blocked. NHIDCL officials have said the heavy rains since the beginning of monsoon have complicated the situation when the construction of NH 717A was about to be completed and landslides are creating problems for road transport. Rains have always been heavy in these parts, but this monsoon the situation is unusual.