Teesta Flood a Man-Made Disaster, Says Kalimpong MLA; NHIDCL Imposes Restrictions on NH-10 Movement

KalimNews, Kalimpong, October 6, 2025 :  In related developments, the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) on Monday issued an advisory restricting the movement of heavy commercial vehicles on National Highway-10 — the lifeline connecting Siliguri to Kalimpong and Sikkim — due to safety concerns arising from forecasted heavy rainfall and slope instability along the route.

The advisory applies to the stretch between Sevoke (Km 0.00) and Rangpo (Km 52.1), and includes the following key directives:

• Movement of all heavy commercial vehicles will be prohibited on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays — from 12:00 AM midnight to 11:59 PM on each of these days.

• These restrictions will come into effect starting October 7, 2025, and will remain in place for four weeks, subject to further review.

• Movement of passenger buses may be permitted, but district administrations have been asked to coordinate local traffic regulation to ensure smooth and safe passage.

NH-10 has long been vulnerable to monsoon-induced landslides and subsidence, and the advisory is part of a pre-emptive effort to reduce traffic-related risks during periods of high rainfall and compromised road stability.

As both public concern and administrative pressure mount, the current crisis has once again highlighted the fragile balance between development and environmental sustainability in the eastern Himalayas. Local leaders are urging swift intervention from both state and central authorities to implement sustainable and preventive infrastructure strategies before further disasters strike.K

As floodwaters from the swollen Teesta River continue to wreak havoc in parts of Kalimpong and surrounding districts, local legislator Ruden Sada Lepcha has termed the current crisis a “man-made disaster,” alleging that ongoing infrastructure projects by the NHPC and railways have severely disrupted the river’s natural flow and aggravated the flooding.

Lepcha, who inspected flood-affected areas from Ravijhora to Gapur Busty, stated that despite Kalimpong receiving significantly less rainfall compared to Mirik and Darjeeling, the Teesta experienced an unnatural surge, causing floods that displaced several families and damaged infrastructure.

“This is not merely a natural calamity. Kalimpong didn’t witness heavy rainfall like Mirik or Darjeeling, yet the Teesta swelled and flooded. It’s clearly the result of unregulated development projects and altered river pathways,” Lepcha said during the inspection.

He pointed to hydroelectric projects and railway construction in the hills as primary contributors to the disaster, while clarifying that neither he nor the region opposed development. However, he stressed the need for accountability, calling on Darjeeling MP Raju Bista and the central government to acknowledge the ecological impact of such infrastructure initiatives.

A key concern raised by the MLA was the excessive siltation of the Teesta, which he argued has significantly worsened the flooding.

“Desilting is urgent. Without it, raising the retaining walls alone will not prevent future floods,” he said, adding that the NHPC must assess the situation and report to the Centre to avoid growing public resentment.

Lepcha also revealed that a Detailed Project Report has been prepared for the construction of a flyover bridge under the Teesta Bridge area, which would help ensure long-term road safety and connectivity. Meanwhile, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has allocated nearly ₹2 crore to address flood-related damages across affected regions. The MLA also emphasized that residents living in low-lying areas along the Teesta have begun receiving compensation, with further assessment underway.

In addition to Teesta-induced damage, the erosion and overflow of hill streams (jhoras) have contributed to the destruction of property in multiple areas. Lepcha called for a joint inspection involving officials from the GTA Irrigation Department, PWD, and NHPC to assess and address the extent of the damage.