The Kalimpong district administration on Monday opened NH10 for minibuses and trucks with less than six tonnes of capacity after more than two
months.

Restrictions had been imposed on vehicles on the highway following the devastation caused by the glacier lake outburst flood (GLOF) from the South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim on the intervening night of October 3 and 4. The flood had severely damaged NH10, which links Sikkim to the rest of the country.

Kalimpong district magistrate Balasubramanian T. on Monday issued an order lifting some of the restrictions.

Sources said the decision was taken after a joint survey had been conducted by the transport department, PWD and police officers of Kalimpong district.

Along with trucks with less than six tonnes, tankers up to nine kiloliters can now move along NH10.

Heavy vehicles beyond the prescribed capacity will have to keep plying through the circuitous routes of either Melli bridge-Chitrey-Kalimpong town-Algarah-Lava–Gorubathan-Siliguri and Reshi-Pedong-Algarh-Lava-Gorubathan-Siliguri routes. These vehicles can, however, ply between 9pm and 6am only.

Despite the route being opened for mini buses and trucks, single-line traffic will be maintained along five stretches of NH10.

“The single line traffic will be maintained at Lihuveer, near Melli bazar, Antarey Jhora, near Bhalu khola and 8th Mile,” said a source.

Earlier, associations of truck owners and drivers had threatened to call an indefinite strike over the delay in letting trucks use NH10. Most items to Sikkim are supplied through Siliguri.