NH 10 closure: ‘Little possibility of opening the highway now’

YOWAN MOTHAY, EOI, KALIMPONG, AUGUST 3, 2024 : In a notification issued by District Magistrate of Kalimpong Balasubramanian T. on Saturday, the movement of all passenger vehicles from Chitrey to Seti Jhora has been restricted till further orders. The Kalimpong District Magistrate has said there is no possibility of opening the highway now. The construction of the protection wall on the river Teesta side of the road and the repair work of the highway are facing problems due to frequent rains and waterlogging. On the stretch between Chitrey and Seti Jhora, boulders are collapsing from the top. In some places, the road has cracked. Due to landslides all around, it is dangerous to travel along the road on this stretch.

NH 10 was completely cut off after the Teesta water had pulled the road down under Selfie Hill. The breach was repaired by the West Bengal PWD on war-footing. From July 31, the road was opened to small vehicles with some restrictions. But due to the overnight rain, NH 10 was again closed to traffic from Thursday afternoon. On Friday, the PWD cleared the road for the resumption of traffic. Soon after, on Saturday, the District Magistrate issued a notice and made alternative arrangements for the movement of vehicles.

The movement of all heavy vehicles between Chitrey to Seti Jhora along the NH 10 and from Ravi Jhora to Teesta Bazar along State Highway 12 leading to Darjeeling has already been restricted till further orders. The alternative routes have also been restricted for vehicles carrying a load above eight tonnes.