NH 10 Alternative: Kalimpong Committee Conducts Route Survey: Explores New Route to Bypass NH 10

YOWAN MOTHAY, EOI, KALIMPONG, JULY 23, 2024: With the repeated closures of National Highway 10 due to landslides, the Alternative Highway Demand Committee of Kalimpong has conducted a survey for a possible alternative route to connect Kalimpong and Sikkim with Siliguri. 

A team from the committee reached Jarayotar in the Panbu area near Samthar in the Kalimpong district on Monday while surveying the alternative route. The committee has identified the stretch from Jarayotar to Mongpong as a potential alternative route.

The districts of Kalimpong and the state of Sikkim are heavily dependent on National Highway 10. However, since the highway was damaged by landslides and subsequently closed, the people of Kalimpong and Sikkim have faced numerous challenges. The impact of the current closure of National Highway 10 is already evident in the economic, educational, and social sectors of Kalimpong and Sikkim.

Chief Minister of Sikkim, P.S. Tamang, submitted a proposal for an alternative route to the Centre a few days ago. 

Some members of Alternative Highway Demand Committee: Photo Courtesy Devendra Basnet

On Monday, the Alternative Highway Demand Committee conducted an on-site inspection of a possible shorter route to serve as an alternative to NH 10. 

Convenor of the Alternative Highway Demand Committee, Sandip Jain, said, "We are looking for an alternative highway from Kalimpong to Siliguri. Some of us have focused on this topic before. We see a good alternative route from Jarayotar to Mongpong. In case of an emergency, this route can be constructed as an alternative by the relevant agency. This route will go from Mongpong to Sevok's petrol pump through the new Baghpool that is going to be constructed.”

He also mentioned that they had experts involved in the survey and that the report collected would be sent to all relevant agencies. “A citizen's job is not only to complain to the government but also to provide suggestions. That is why we have done this,” Jain said.

Social worker Kamal Sharma expressed concerns about the impact of the closure of National Highway 10 on Kalimpong and Sikkim. “New corridors are being built all over the country,” he pointed out. The Alternative Highway Demand Committee plans to proceed with this alternative route by naming it the ‘Sikkim-Siliguri Corridor via Kalimpong.’ 

He added, “We hope the Sikkim-Siliguri Corridor via Kalimpong will take shape soon. Currently, the Sikkim government is also looking for alternative routes. We cannot think of any other shorter alternative route than this.”

Photo Courtesy & source: Devendra Basnet

He said, the Alternative Highway Demand Committee will present the blueprint produced by them to the Sikkim Government. While Kalimpong is only a district, the entire state of Sikkim has been affected by the unstable condition of National Highway 10. Therefore, Sikkim should take the initiative for the alternative route of National Highway 10. The survey was conducted with the aim that Sikkim should also benefit." (Edited: KN)

KN: Devendra Basnet, a member of AHDC in his Facebook page adds- "Two possible approaches to access Jarayotar (at Yang-Makum), which lies on the north side of Mongpong, were scouted. The first one starts from Jor Pokhari (near Samthar) through Kambal, Makum, and from there to Jarayotar village. The second approach surveyed was the gravel road connecting the Panbu-Kalijhora road section with Jarayotar.

From the small settlement of Jarayotar, a link road to Asian Highway 2 is feasible at a distance of under 10 km. A tunnel through the hill between Jarayotar and Mongpong will make the route even shorter. (See location photo attached)

From the Asian Highway at Mongpong, accessing the new (under construction) Sevoke bridge across the Teesta River will bypass the dam at Kalijhora, the entire NH10, and the Coronation Bridge (Bagh Pul). This route will not only provide access to Kalimpong District but also to the entire state of Sikkim. Furthermore, it will be a shorter route compared to Highway 717, which is under construction, and will serve as an alternative to NH10, which is presently in a state of disrepair.