CRITICAL TRAVEL ADVISORY: NH-10 CLOSED FOR 6 HRS. TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON SEPTEMBER 26 DUE TO SEVERE RAINFALL RISKS

KalimNews, Sept 25, 2026, Kalimpong: In a decisive move to protect public safety amidst escalating monsoon hazards, the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has officially ordered a temporary shutdown of National Highway 10. Acting under the provisions of the Control of National Highways Act, 2002, highway authorities have prohibited vehicular movement along the critical mountain corridor linking Bengal's plains with the hills and Sikkim on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

According to an official order released by the Deputy General Manager (Projects) at the NHIDCL Project Monitoring Unit in Siliguri (Memo No.: NHIDCL/PMU-Siliguri/NH-10/Strategic/2026/470), the restriction applies unconditionally to all classes of vehicles—including light motor vehicles, tourist conveyances, and heavy commercial carriers. The closure takes effect during the morning peak hours, beginning at 6:00 AM and running through 12:00 PM noon along the entire 52.1-kilometer stretch connecting Sevoke (Km 0.00) to Rangpo (Km 52.1).

The strategic directive follows grave meteorological warnings forecasting intense and relentless heavy downpours throughout the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills, heightening the immediate threats of active landslides, rockfalls, and sudden highway subsidence along the fragile Teesta river gorge. Local district administrations and police commissionerates spanning Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Siliguri, and adjoining districts in Sikkim—including Namchi, Pakyong, and Gangtok—have been formally mobilized to enforce tight diversionary measures, manage congestion, and maintain vigilant checkpoints at vulnerable points.

Commuters, local residents, commercial drivers, and visiting tourists are strongly cautioned to refrain from attempting any journeys along this sector during the designated restriction window. Travelers must plan their itineraries around the shutdown, monitor official highway advisories, and adhere strictly to traffic police guidance until regional authorities complete safety inspections and deem the mountain artery safe to reopen.