Siliguri, 16th August: Continuous rainfall and multiple landslides have severely damaged National Highway 10, the lifeline connecting Bengal and Sikkim. Large portions of the road have collapsed into the Teesta River, causing massive disruption in connectivity between the two states.
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, who visited the affected stretches of NH-10 on Saturday, claimed that the road damage is leading to daily economic losses of nearly ₹200 crore. He also highlighted the immense suffering faced by tourists, locals of Sikkim, Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and residents of the plains.
During his inspection, Bista observed that several areas including Sweti Jhora, Likhuvir, and Malli in Kalimpong district have been completely washed away, leaving no trace of the road. Temporary narrow passages have been cut through the hills to allow small vehicles, while larger vehicles are being diverted through longer alternative routes, increasing both travel time and expenses.
Speaking to the media, Bista said NH-10 suffers severe damage every monsoon but no long-term maintenance has been ensured despite the road earlier being under the PWD’s charge. He stressed that the road’s permanent improvement requires joint efforts from the National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and NHPC.
The MP also proposed building an overhead bridge across the Teesta to provide an alternative route during the rainy season, which he said would reduce the risks of landslide-related road collapses and ensure uninterrupted connectivity.