Major Repair Work on NH 10 Causes Severe Traffic Congestion; Partial Road Closure Affects Commuters and Tourists

KalimNews, April 19, 2025 : The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL), under the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, commenced major repair and strengthening operations on National Highway 10 on Friday, resulting in a partial closure of a vital 52-kilometre stretch between Sevoke and Rangpo. The closure, which is in effect intermittently on April 18 and 19, has led to significant traffic snarls, causing severe congestion along the critical route that connects the Himalayan state of Sikkim with Kalimpong district in West Bengal.

As part of the repair work, the road was completely closed from 3 am to 6 am, with alternate hour-long slots for light vehicles to pass through until 6 pm. Heavy vehicles were not allowed on the stretch for the entire 15-hour period. The traffic management strategy included deploying policemen to regulate vehicle movement by alternating between opening and closing the road every hour, a plan that will also be followed on Saturday. Local commuters, tourists, and transport operators have faced significant inconvenience due to the ongoing work, with long queues and traffic jams reported throughout the day.

The stretch of NH-10, previously under the jurisdiction of the West Bengal Public Works Department (PWD), was transferred to NHIDCL a few months ago in response to persistent maintenance challenges and the growing need for road upgrades due to increasing traffic and adverse weather conditions. Before handing over to PWD  it was maintained by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) of the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF). While the temporary closure and traffic restrictions have disrupted travel plans, NHIDCL has emphasized the necessity of these repairs to enhance road safety and travel efficiency in the long term.

Local authorities, including police, administrative bodies, and forest officials, have been working to ensure smooth implementation of the road restrictions. However, the impact of the repair work has been felt strongly in the tourism sector, with many tourists being advised to adjust their itineraries. “Travel from Sikkim or Kalimpong to Siliguri will take significantly longer on these two days. Tourists should plan their travels accordingly,” said Sapan Tamang, a local driver who frequently operates on this route.

In light of the ongoing inconvenience, NHIDCL has urged tour operators and hotels to notify travelers about the traffic restrictions in advance to avoid last-minute issues. Despite the short-term disruptions, the corporation has assured the public that the repair work is crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability and safety of NH-10, a key lifeline for both local commuters and tourists in the region.

As work continues on this critical stretch, authorities have asked for cooperation from the public and have assured that the road would soon be better equipped to handle the growing traffic demands and weather-related challenges that have plagued the area for years.

The Damdim-Gorubathan-Lava route is serving as an alternative to this closure, helping alleviate the heavy traffic.