NH10 in Sikkim reopens after over a month, traffic remains regulated

National Highway 10, the main road connecting Sikkim with West Bengal, is slowly reopening after remaining closed for more than a month following a series of landslides. For truck and cab drivers, the closure has meant longer journeys, higher costs and difficult roads. We have to go around the area. The owners don't give us enough fuel. The tires get torn. We have to go to the other side. The owners are in a different situation. That's why the drivers are getting worried. Cab drivers have also been using alternative routes, which take considerably longer during the monsoon. I don't have a single car. The traffic is currently being allowed through the affected stretch at intervals as restoration work continues Vehicles are stopped during construction and allowed to pass once work is temporarily halted The first major landslide occurred on the evening of July 7 and covered a stretch of around 250 meters. On July 7, the first landslide occurred. On July 7, the first landslide occurred. The closure has particularly affected heavy vehicles as the Alton The administrative routes are narrow and cannot handle regular traffic. But restoring the road is not the only challenge Erosion by the Atista River has caused the land beneath an esten to sink in parts raising concerns about the stability of the highway The damage on the right side of the affected stretch occurred during the initial phase of this year's monsoon. The damage on the left side has been recurring since the 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood or GLAWF. Roads and Bridges Minister N.B. Dahal recently visited the site and said the government was working on a permanent solution. Actually, last year it was not that big. It was a bit big. This year it has developed a lot. We are worried that due to natural calamities, this road will be closed. The Gantok lifeline has been closed for a month. Dahl said work by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited or NHIDCL and the State PWD has helped restore traffic. He also said a detailed project report has been prepared and experts have conducted a survey of the affected stretch Officials are considering a tunnel through the vulnerable section after the monsoon as a long-term solution. The affected stretch is located only a few kilometers from the Rangpur border. NH10 is the main road link between Sikkim and West Bengal and is used for the movement of people, goods and essential supplies. For now, traffic has resumed, but only in intervals. As restoration work continues, the bigger question remains whether the land beneath the highway can withstand another monsoon. If you've watched the video this far, you're already part of the East Mojo community. Now, if you're able to, we'd love for you to take the next step and support Agilelism by becoming a member. Simply click the link in the description or scan the QR code which will take you to our subscription page. You can even share it with friends and family who care about independent news. Together, we can keep independent journalism alive. Thank you for being with us.