The recurring closure and reopening of a major stretch of NH10 — the principal highway that connects the hill district of Kalimpong and the Himalayan state of Sikkim with Siliguri and the rest of the country — by the Kalimpong district administration during the past nine days because of landslides have been a cause of botheration for the residents, transporters and tourists.
On Friday, the administration announced — the fifth in nine days — that a stretch from Rabi Jhora to 29th Mile would remain closed for 48 hours from the morning of March 30.
On March 21, Balasubramanian T., the district magistrate of Kalimpong, issued an order, halting traffic along the highway. Because of a sudden downpour, debris and boulders had started slipping from the hills on the highway in Rabi Jhora and Likhuveer, which are between Rabi Jhora and 29th Mile.
As a result, vehicles bound for the hills from Siliguri and vice-versa were affected. However, on March 22, as weather conditions improved, vehicles were allowed to move along the stretch, but in a single flank through the two vulnerable locations.
“The decision to stop vehicular movement was made to avoid accidents as boulders were intermittently falling on the highway,” said a source in the administration.
Again, on the evening of March 23, boulders and debris started descending on the highway and traffic was stopped. This made the administration issue another order on March 24, banning the movement of all vehicles along this portion of the highway.
On March 27, the restriction was withdrawn and vehicles were allowed to move between Rabi Jhora and 29th Mile.
However, on Friday again, the administration mentioned that vehicles would have to take alternative routes to reach Sikkim and Kalimpong through alternative roads.
“…a further imposing of temporary restriction of traffic is needed for urgent work for protection against landslides to be carried on by PWD, Govt of west Bengal in that stretch,” said the order issued by the DM.
According to the order, small vehicles from Rangpo (the bordering town in Sikkim) will run via Munsong, l7th Mile, Algarah, Lava, Gorubathan to reach Siliguri and vice versa.
“Another route, Melli Bridge, Chitrey, Kalimpong town, Algarah, Lava, Gorubathan and Siliguri has been mentioned for smaller vehicles. The vehicles carrying goods will run along the Melli Bridge, Chitrey, Kalimpong town, Algarah, Lava, Gorubathan and to Siliguri and vice versa from 9pm to 6am,” the source added.
Because of the restrictions, people had to travel an additional distance of around 70km to reach Kalimpong or Gangtok from Siliguri and vice-versa. “This means more time and additional fuel costs,” said a transporter based in Kalimpong.
Those associated with the tourism industry are also perturbed by the recurring halts in traffic on NH10.
“Tourists have started flocking in the hills. This is because most of them want
to visit the region before the elections (which will be held in the third week of April). But now that the road is closing down at regular intervals, they have to bear additional transport costs and spend more time to reach their destinations,” said Raj Basu, a veteran in the tourism sector of this region.
Because of the halt, there have been incidents when tourists have missed their flights and trains.
“If such a situation persists, there is always a chance that a section of tourists might cancel their trips. It would be a fresh setback for the industry that has taken a beating during the Covid-19 pandemic,” Basu added.
