The restoration of NH10, which connects Sikkim to Siliguri, has run into a hurdle after the Centre did not heed the proposal of the Bengal PWD, which maintains the highway, to sanction “adequate funds” for the repairs.

Sources in Nabanna said the state PWD had sent proposals of ₹27.05 crore to restore several stretches of the highway which were damaged during heavy rainfall on June 14. Traffic on the highway came to a halt because of the damage.

In response to the PWD’s proposal, the Centre sanctioned ₹14.13 crore to undertake the entire work.

“We had sent a detailed project report to undertake the restoration in the areas that were damaged severely.... But the Centre sanctioned only about half of the amount required by the PWD to undertake the restoration,” said a senior Nabanna official.

According to the letter sent to the PWD by the ministry of roads, transport and highways (Morth), the Centre has sanctioned funds for the restoration of the road and hillside drains and the valley side of NH10 along some stretches, besides short-term repair of hillside areas damaged by the erosion caused by the overflowing Teesta.

Sources in Nabanna said the PWD had proposed additional work to make the road safe for all kinds of vehicles.

“But these proposals have not been sanctioned yet. Without the restoration as proposed by the PWD, it would be tough to allow all kinds of vehicles to ply on the
highway,” said a senior Nabanna official.

About a month ago, the PWD reopened NH10 after primary restoration, but only light and medium vehicles were allowed to ply along the restored stretch. As the highway could not be reopened for heavy vehicles, the trucks and other heavy vehicles were taking longer routes to reach Sikkim.

“This has left Bengal in an awkward situation. The people of Sikkim are blaming the Bengal PWD for not repairing the highway in the past two months. But the truth is that the state was not getting adequate support from Delhi,” said a source.

Not only sanctioning the required funds, sources in Nabanna said, the PWD was not getting active support from Delhi to complete the restoration on time as Morth was not approving tenders related to the restoration project.

“For example, the PWD has completed tender formalities for slope protection and landslide mitigation at three vulnerable points on the road. The state prepared the required documents and floated the tenders after the project was sanctioned. The state cannot award the contract to any agency until the Centre approves it. But the approval is yet to come even though it was sent more than a month ago,” said a senior official.

Officials cited another example to show the Centre’s lackadaisical approach to maintaining the national highway.

“A proposal worth ₹20 crore was sent for short-term maintenance contracts for the entire 52km stretch from Sevoke to Rongpo in July but the proposal was yet to be sanctioned. This contract is important because this will ensure that landslide debris is cleared and emergency work can be taken up. The last contract expired in August,” said another official.

In this background, the state government officials were apprehensive about maintaining the highway properly if the Centre did not change its approach
immediately.

“The condition of the road is changing rapidly as it is located in a very critical area.... We have prepared a series of proposals to undertake emergency repairs, protecting slopes and landslides at several points. Some of the proposals have already been sent and a few others will follow suit. We are not sure whether the proposals to protect the important highway will be cleared,” said a bureaucrat.